Cambodia’s national assembly has passed a state of emergency law granting the country’s autocratic leader, Hun Sen, vast new powers to control and censor the country’s media. The new law, ostensibly aimed at tackling the spread of COVID-19, allows the regime to monitor communications, control media and social media, prohibit or restrict distribution of information that could generate public fear or unrest, or that could damage national security. Rights groups say the law contains broad and vague provisions that could be misused against critical media.