Cambodia’s information ministry has u-turned over a decision to stop local radio stations broadcasting foreign-produced programming in the run up to the country’s general election later this month.

The French news agency AFP reported that the ban, as part of guidance to provide “neutral” election coverage, was reversed after criticism from the US state department.

The Khmer language broadcasts are produced by Radio Free Asia, which is funded by Washington.  The programmes air on several local radio stations.

AFP reports that RFA described the ban as “a blatant strategy to silence the types of disparate and varied voices that characterise an open and free society.”

Cambodia’s general election takes place on July 28.