U.S. officials accused of practicing censorship are now in charge of distributing news to Americans

Radio Free Asia said its Khmer service has been dropped by 10 stations. It called the directive “the most sweeping and stunning frontal assault on media freedom in Cambodia in recent memory.”

Voice of America also condemned it. Both networks are U.S. government funded.

Also mentioned by Reuters, South China Morning Post, Cambodia DailyCambodian government reverses ban on foreign media – Radio Australia, July 1, 2013

The ban on Khmer language broadcasts came to light late last week, but was rescinded after fierce criticism from the United States, who called it a serious infringement of freedom of expression. Radio Australia and America’s Radio Free Asia — which both produce Khmer language content — have welcomed the government’s change of heart.

Also mentioned by Bangkok Post

Cambodia Election Campaign Promises Little Change – Time, June 27, 2013

Radio Free Asia and Voice of America play a crucial role in disseminating alternative views to rural Cambodians, as press intimidation is rife. Nevertheless, CNRP strongholds are mainly urban. “The more educated people vote for us, as they know how the CCP works and don’t get scared and intimidated,” says Keo Phirum.

Here’s video of Jennifer Lopez’s birthday concert for one of Asia’s most notorious dicators – Washington Post, July 1, 2013

The few independent journalist there are tightly controlled and live under threat. A man with Radio Free Europe was arrested without charge just last month. In 2003, another Radio Free Europereporter wrote in the Washington Post about being detained, beaten, injected with an unknown substance and forced to pay a bribe for his release.

Coming Soon to Your Agency: Virtual Internships – Nextgov, June 28, 2013

The government will begin accepting applications on July 2 for the Virtual Student Foreign Service Program, an eInternship program that enables U.S. college students to work on special projects at select federal agencies. Previously, the program was only available at State and the U.S. Agency for International Development, but this year, the Broadcasting Board of Governors and the Commerce and Agriculture departments also will offer virtual positions through the program.

A technology that helps bridge the digital divide – Livemint, June 30, 2013

An IVR system allows computers to interact directly with telephone callers through pre-recorded voice prompts and menus. IVR, which uses automation to attend incoming calls, has been around for over two decades and is used by most corporations across the world. […] IVR Junction also allowed US broadcaster Voice of America to deliver breaking news to the war-torn African nation Mali, where people in remote areas dialled a local number to listen to news broadcasts.

“People should not think that, because we are trying to bring peace to an area that has been struggling for 30 years now under the yoke of conflict and dissension, that that means we can’t also pay attention to these other issues,” Kerry told Voice of America during his latest trip.

Five Stories You May Have Missed This Week – Enough Project, June 28, 2013

This week, Voice of America published an article giving accolades to Zereda AIDS Information Center group in Yambio, South Sudan for their encouragement to members of their community to get tested and seek treatment. Additionally, the article is a call to action to increase the creation of such groups.

Kerry shuttles between Betanyahu and Abbas – UPI, June 28, 2013

Kerry had met with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at a late dinner Thursday, Voice of America reported. He planned more talks Friday with Netanyahu after the meeting with Abbas in Jordan.

Genetic mapping of 700,000-year-old horse – Examiner, June 28, 2013

As of this week, today’s horses are a far more ancient species than anyone has ever before proven. A study published on June 26, 2013, in the journal Nature reported findings from scientists who mapped the genetic code of a horse about 700,000 years old, making it the oldest mapped genome of any animal by 10 times (Source: Voice of America News, June 27, 2013).

Military exercise in China’s Xinjiang after ‘terror’ clashes – Bangkok Post, June 29, 2013

The unrest took place in the prefecture of Hotan, where a group “(attacked) a number of people with weapons after gathering at local religious venues”, the state-run Global Times said. It followed clashes on Wednesday which left 35 dead, the worst to hit the western desert region — home to around 10 million members of the Uighur minority — since the 2009 riots. China called the incident a “violent terrorist attack”. Radio Free Asia, which is funded by the US government, quoted a source as saying police in Hotan opened fire on Uighurs as they left a local mosque.

Syria: rebels say they’ve overrun army post, and come full circle, in Deraa – Examiner, June 28, 2013

That figure of 100,000 includes 18,000 rebels and 40,000 pro-Assad fighters, according to the Voice of America report, which leaves about 40,000 civilians also dead. Earlier this month, the VOAstates, the United Nations believed about 93,000 people were confirmed dead, but that the actual number is probably much higher.

China presented an eyewash Tibet visit for US ambassador – Tibetan Review, June 30, 2013
China staged a highly orchestrated visit to Tibet’s capital Lhasa by the US ambassador Gary Locke from Jun 25 to 27, presenting to his delegation a happy and peaceful city devoid of all the heavy security that was otherwise routinely present there, reported Radio Free Asia.

Mongolian president wins a second term – Transitions Online, June 28, 2013
Incumbent Mongolian President Tsakhia Elbegdorj won a second four-year term in the 26 June election, Radio Free Europe reports.

Journalism, Even When It’s Tilted – New York Times, June 30, 2013

In a refracted media world where information comes from everywhere, the line between two “isms” – journalism and activism – is becoming difficult to discern. As American news media have pulled back from international coverage, nongovernmental organizations have filled in the gaps with on-the-scene reports and Web sites. State houses have lost reporters who used to provide accountability, so citizens have turned to digital enterprises, some of which have partisan agendas.

Saudi Arabia jails seven for inciting protests on Facebook – The Guardian, June 30, 2013
Saudi Arabia has sentenced seven activists from its restive Eastern province to prison terms ranging from five to 10 years for posting messages on Facebook calling for anti-government protests, according to Human Rights Watch.