Silencing the Voice of Dissent
Before its owner was arrested in July on charges of insurrection, Beehive radio had hit the consciousness of few outside Cambodia. While international rights groups and press watchdogs were quick to jump on a story of political posturing and the quashing of free speech in the wake of the Mam Sonando case, most had only the faintest understanding of the significance of his station. … And the disappearance of Sonando from the station with which he was synonymous has made a significant dent on one of the nation’s only independent outlets. Without Sonando –who was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on October 1 on charges of stoking a so-called secessionist movement – Beehive broadcasting continues full tilt. … While the government has loudly and repeatedly insisted it has no intention to shutter the station (and pointed to its refusal to do so as proof positive the charges against Sonando were not related to freedom of expression), it has nevertheless managed to change the media landscape with Sonando’s imprisonment. …
