H.E. Khieu Kanharith, Minister of Information, responding to the media during the workshop held on 16 November 2021. @Mikel Aguirre Idiaquez/ UNESCO
Phnom Penh, 16 November 2021. In a workshop with more than 200 participants from the media community, and the Government, UNESCO highlighted the importance to step up collaboration in the establishment of national mechanisms and implementation of collaborative initiatives to ensure the protection of journalists and foster freedom of expression in Cambodia.
The Minister of Information, H.E. Khieu Kanharith, described the meeting as “historic” during his opening remarks, referring to the fact that it was the first time that “journalists, the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior came together to discuss ways to work hand in hand in the interest of Cambodia’s democracy”.
The workshop organized by the Ministry of Information with support from UNESCO, provided a unique opportunity for the media community and the authorities to discuss the most pressing issues that media workers are facing in the country. Representatives from the Ministry of Information, Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior explained the national legislation related to media and its implementation; and they listened to the challenges and concerns raised by the journalists present at the event.
At the meeting, UNESCO presented the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, as a framework to foster collaboration between the authorities, journalists, civil society organizations and academia to take firm steps in developing legislation, establishing national protection mechanisms, and raising awareness on the role of media in a democracy, in order to create a safe and free environment for journalists and media workers. Mr Mikel Aguirre, Project officer at UNESCO, stated that the organization will continue to work with all stakeholders by facilitating more dialogues like this one, through technical support and capacity building on Freedom of Expression issues.
The discussions at the workshop kicked-off with the presentation about the challenges that Cambodian journalists are facing when performing their work. Mr. Nop Vy, Executive Director of the Cambodian Alliance of Independent Journalists (CamboJA), presented the findings of their monitoring report on the attacks and threats experienced by journalists in the country, and called on the authorities to strengthen collaboration with the media community to ensure a safe environment for media workers. Mr Sao Phal Nisey, Editor in Chief of the media house Thmey Thmey, stressed the importance of providing continued capacity building to reporters and the urgent need to find ways to ensure the financial viability of independent media.
As the United Nations agency with a specific mandate to promote “the free flow of ideas by word and image”, UNESCO works to foster free, independent and pluralistic media in print, broadcast and online. In Cambodia, UNESCO is implementing the project “Strengthening Media Development and Freedom of Expression in Cambodia” in partnership with Sweden and OHCHR, which aims to foster a safe, free, pluralistic, and independent media environment conducive to greater freedom of expression and access to information.
For more information, visit UNESCO Phnom Penh Website