Cambodia generally ranks near the bottom of worldwide press freedom indices due to government control and influence over the media, and threats and violence against journalists. To reduce the risks its reporters face in the field, CCIM plans to host a tailored safety training on physical and information security. Indeed, security is an essential precursor to press freedom, as CCIM is particularly aware of following a violent attack on one of its reporters in 2014.
In 2014, Cambodia's media sector was categorized as "Not Free" by Freedom House and ranked by Reporters Without Borders at 139 out of 180 countries worldwide for press freedom. Journalists are subjected to routine violence and physical harassment for their coverage of controversial issues that negate the government narrative or are harmful to the interests of powerful individuals. Moreover, 2014 was the deadliest year for Cambodian journalists since the political turmoil of the 1997 coup.
In order to create a safe environment for journalists in Cambodia, extensive training is needed to improve reporters' responses when faced with threats or dangerous situations related to their reporting. By bringing in international security experts to provide hands-on trainings, journalists will have increased confidence to conduct investigations safely.
The project will provide 90 Citizen/ professional journalists with concrete knowledge about security and safety measures that can be implemented while they are reporting and investigating in at least 18 provinces of Cambodia. The project will empower the media workers and will promote freedom of the press and access to independent, true and accurate information.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
