In a pioneering initiative which aimed to look at press freedom in Cambodia, the Ministry of Info held its first-ever press freedom survey “The State of Press Freedom in Cambodia”. The ballot, performed throughout all 25 capital-provinces of Cambodia, concerned 341 journalists.
The excellent survey sought to measure journalists’ perceptions of press freedom, masking features reminiscent of range in media, authorized frameworks, and the affect of the digital transformation on conventional media.
The outcomes have been introduced on April 30, when a 53-page report was launched at a press convention led by Minister of Info Neth Pheaktra. The launch was attended by representatives from home and worldwide media retailers.
Pheaktra emphasised that the present media local weather requires all stakeholders to apply self-improvement, to be able to sustain with evolving developments and correspond with the rhythm of growing the Kingdom’s info sector.
“These efforts are destined to make sure the standard of knowledge and media effectivity, enabling market competitiveness and adherence to the skilled ethics of journalism, whereas contributing to combating faux information,” he defined.
Addressing the difficulty of misinformation, 81.2% of the journalists surveyed recognized the essential function that journalists play in combating faux information, which is more and more vital within the digital age.
Pen Bona, Minister Connected to the Prime Minister and head of the Royal Authorities Spokesperson Unit, highlighted the essential function of journalists in combating misinformation.
Bona was quoted within the survey as saying “Journalists are on the frontline in our battle towards misinformation. Their function is pivotal, not simply in reporting information however in shaping an knowledgeable society.”
The report revealed that 79.8% of respondents imagine that press freedom in Cambodia is both “Good” or “Very Good”.
A major majority, 95%, acknowledged the range of media as a optimistic affect on press freedom.
The findings contradict an announcement by the UN Human Rights Workplace (OHCHR) which was issued in August, and claimed that the journalistic setting in Cambodia has deteriorated considerably on account of restrictive legal guidelines and authorities surveillance.
Greater than 80% of the 65 journalists concerned within the OHCHR interviews reported interference of their work, together with being positioned beneath surveillance.
The OHCHR additionally outlined the necessity for Cambodia to enhance the authorized framework supporting press freedom, citing quite a few challenges, particularly for girls within the media who’re notably under-represented and topic to gender-based violence.
In its detailed exploration, the data ministry utilised a mixture of qualitative and quantitative analysis strategies, together with a complete desk evaluate of authorized paperwork, a nationwide survey of 350 journalists utilizing random sampling and in-depth interviews with 11 media trade leaders.
Nevertheless, solely 341 of those have been deemed legitimate for evaluation. The discount within the variety of legitimate responses sometimes happens on account of incomplete solutions, improperly accomplished types, or the withdrawal of consent by members after submitting their responses.
The ministry claimed that this strong strategy allowed the research to seize a broad statistical panorama and supply nuanced insights into the experiences and perceptions of press freedom from these straight concerned within the media sector.
Nevertheless, it acknowledged that some challenges stay, notably within the adaptation of conventional media to digital innovation and in sustaining journalistic requirements amidst speedy technological modifications.
Pheaktra highlighted how the financial disaster and a enterprise downturn have intensified competitors amongst influencers, prompting corporations to ascertain their very own media channels for promoting promotion.
Info minister Neth Pheaktra maintain up copies of the newly revealed outcomes of a survey on press freedom in Cambodia. AKP
“Conventional media stalwarts like Rasmei Kampuchea and the Phnom Penh Publish have ceased their print operations, shifting their focus to on-line platforms,” he mentioned.
He additionally warned of the challenges posed by unprofessional ethics in journalism, notably concerning information sourcing and the necessity for balanced and thorough reporting.
“In 2023, the Ministry of Info dealt with 79 complaints, resolving them extrajudicially via actions reminiscent of corrections and contract fulfilments,” Pheaktra famous.
Throughout the convention, he additionally drew consideration to the federal government’s efforts to advertise freedom of the press and expression, constructing upon the developments of earlier administrations.
He underscored the significance of those freedoms for sustainable growth and peace within the area.
Moreover, the survey supplied some key statistics on the Kingdom’s media infrastructure.
The nation has a broad vary of tv stations, together with 143 analogue, 165 stay, and 12 digital stations, amongst others.
The media sector additionally features a substantial variety of print and on-line retailers, with 933 web sites and on-line platforms and 477 newspapers, which contributes to a vibrant info setting.
The findings additionally highlighted a major gender disparity throughout the trade, with males representing a dominant 93.5% of respondents, with simply 6.5% of them feminine.
This stark imbalance raises questions concerning the accessibility and inclusivity of the media sector in Cambodia.
Amongst these surveyed, virtually all confused the importance of adhering to journalistic skilled ethics.
Moreover, 92.1% have been in favour of authorized actions towards journalists who violate these ethics, and practically all endorsed the introduction of a coaching programme aimed toward enhancing the skilled skills and high quality of journalists.
Nop Vy, govt director of the Cambodian Journalists Alliance, confused the necessity for continued schooling {and professional} growth.
Within the survey, he mentioned, “There’s a important hole in steady skilled growth for journalists in Cambodia, which must be addressed to take care of excessive requirements of journalism”.
Journalists in Cambodia typically belong to a middle-aged group, with the common age being 42 years.
This underscores the presence of a seasoned workforce, with 34% of journalists aged between 31-40 years and 33% falling within the 41–50-year age bracket.
The survey additionally revealed that 21% of reporters are over 50 years outdated, highlighting a major illustration of senior professionals within the area.
In distinction, youthful aged 21-30, represent a smaller fraction, making up simply 10.9% of the overall, suggesting that the sphere is presently dominated by people with a substantial quantity {of professional} expertise.
The academic attainment amongst journalists in Cambodia demonstrates a various vary of educational backgrounds, reflecting a broad spectrum of information bases and abilities throughout the journalism group.
Of these surveyed, 43.9% have solely accomplished highschool, whereas a 3rd of the respondents, amounting to 33.3%, maintain a bachelor’s diploma.
“6.2% of journalists have achieved postgraduate {qualifications}, enhancing their reporting and analytical capabilities. Surprisingly, 3.5% of journalists have schooling solely as much as the first stage,” Pheaktra famous.
This selection in instructional ranges means that the depth and high quality of reporting in Cambodia can range considerably, influenced by the differing ranges of formal schooling amongst journalists.
The data ministry introduced that it stands able to work with press associations and all stakeholders to uphold the standard {of professional} journalism and media effectiveness by persevering with to strengthen the implementation {of professional} ethics and the administration of knowledge safety.
Puy Kea, president of the Membership of Cambodian Journalists, defined the twin function of the media in society.
“The media not solely informs however educates the general public. Guaranteeing the moral grounding of our journalists is paramount to sustaining public belief and upholding the integrity of our career,” Kea mentioned, within the report.
Pheaktra believed the survey’s findings would function a vital basis for future actions aimed toward enhancing the media panorama in Cambodia and can improve authorities initiatives to safeguard journalistic practices and press freedom throughout the authorized framework of the nation.
The ministry is presently conducting critiques of present legal guidelines on the press, with the purpose of upgrading them to correspond with the advance of society.
Nop Vy concurred, saying {that a} evaluate of the press legal guidelines is important as a result of the present rules should not strong sufficient to successfully shield journalists. He advocated for a long-overdue revision and modification of those legal guidelines.
“I acknowledge the initiative of the ministry and I urge them to expedite the method, however it’s essential to contain stakeholders within the course of to handle the media panorama for the efficient utilisation of laws,” he instructed The Publish.