News
Cambodia Commemorates the 30th Anniversary of the World Press Freedom Day
More than 200 representatives from the media, civil society, national and international organizations, and journalism students joined the event, which was organized by 13 national CSOs and media associations, and supported by UNESCO, OHCHR, and the Embassies of Sweden, EU, Australia, France, United Kingdom and Germany.
Coinciding with the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the World Press Freedom Day this year put the focus on the importance of freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights. Under this theme, the spokesperson and Undersecretary of State from the Ministry of Information, H.E. Meas Sophorn; Nop Vy, Executive Director of CamboJA; Ms Chak Sopheak, Executive Director of CCHR; Ms Chan Sokunthea, Acting Executive Director of CCIM; and Mr Kim Chhorn, Executive Director of COMFREL; reflected on the key development of Cambodia鈥檚 media landscape, and the issues and challenges faced by the journalists in performing their duties.
The event continued with a series of TED talks from journalists, journalism educators and the Country Representative of OHCHR, Ms Roueida El Hage, who reflected on the significance that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had in advancing press freedom around the world since it was adopted 75 years ago, and presented the challenges that still remain ahead. Mr. Mikel Aguirre, Project Officer from UNESCO also presented the highlights of the UN Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, and the status of its implementation in Cambodia.
Mrs. Carmen Moreno, Ambassador of the EU to Cambodia stated that 鈥淒emocratic societies can prosper when citizens have access to reliable information and can make informed choices鈥. The Head of the Embassy of Sweden Section Office in Phnom Penh, and the Ambassadors of Australia, UK and France also participated in the event.
The Director for Asia-Pacific of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Ms. Jane Worthington delivered a Keynote speech which flagged the great difficulties that professional independent media outlets are facing across the region, which includes the challenging financial situation of media houses, increasing criminalization of journalism, increasing harassment and intimidation of reporters, and the over-regulation of the internet and the media.
To close the event, Mr Sardar Umar Alam, UNESCO representative to Cambodia stated the need for support to independent media and called for further investment in human rights and freedom of expression to strengthen media development in Cambodia.
If you want to learn more about the Press Freedom Conference, which this year is held at the UN Headquarters in New York City, you can click here.
