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In collaboration with UNESCO, the Department of Media and Communication (DMC) has developed the Gender-Sensitive Safety Guideline for Cambodian Media Houses to address gender-based safety challenges faced by journalists in Cambodia. Five workshops have been recently organized, includingthree in Phnom Penh and two in the provinces — Battambang and Siem Reap province). The 5 workshops have attracted 149 participants from media houses, associations, CSOs, gender organizations, media students, and relevant government counterparts to promote awareness and integrate gender-sensitive safety policies in newsrooms. The initiative aims to create a supportive and safe working environment for journalists by ensuring that appropriate measures are in place to protect the safety of journalists, particularly women and LGBTQ+ media professionals, from workplace and field-related threats.

Journalism plays a fundamental role in democracy and social accountability. However, journalists in Cambodia—especially women and LGBTQ+ media professionals—continue to face significant safety concerns, including online harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and inadequate protection in the field.

During the opening of the first dissemination workshop in Phnom Penh, Mr. Ung Bun Y, Head of DMC, highlighted the importance of gender-sensitive safety policies, stating that the lack of clear measures to address these risks leaves journalists vulnerable. The 2023 UNESCO study revealed that 73% of women journalists worldwide have experienced online violence. In Cambodia, the situation is even more concerning, as women make up only 9.4% of the journalist workforce, with even fewer in leadership roles. The lack of structured policies promoting gender equality in newsrooms further exacerbates these challenges.

A recent mapping conducted by UNESCO and DMC found that most Cambodian media organizations lack gender-sensitive safety policies, with only one newsroom having a draft internal gender policy and  a gender focal point and reporting mechanism for harassment complaints. Journalism remains male-dominated, limiting diversity and fostering workplace cultures that overlook women's needs. Female journalists frequently face harassment, discrimination, and unequal opportunities, often assigned to "soft" news beats or excluded from leadership roles. They also encounter unique safety risks, including violence and intimidation, both online and offline, hindering their full participation in the field. Therefore, this guideline serves as a guide for Cambodian newsroom to create a safer and more inclusive work environment by integrating gender-sensitive safety principles and practices into their editorials frameworks while promoting safe reporting mechanisms for journalists, particularly female and LGBTQ+ journalists. 

The guideline promotes inclusive and safe workplaces through a set of actionable approaches of prevention, response, and promotion. To highlight a few, newsrooms should raise awareness with regular training on gender sensitivity, harassment, and implicit bias while ensuring gender balance in leadership and decision-making roles. Policies should address caregiving needs, flexible work, and safety measures, with clear anti-harassment principles and confidential reporting channels. A structured mechanism should allow staff to report harassment safely, with a trusted committee handling cases and ensuring survivor support. Regular training, peer support networks, and fair workplace policies help strengthen accountability. Furthermore, newsroom managers should recognise gender risks, enforce harassment-free policies, and ensure equal opportunities, leadership representation, and support systems.

This guideline aligns with UNESCO’s Gender-Sensitive Indicators for Media and global best practices to ensure that Cambodian media institutions are sensitized and equipped to address gender-related safety concerns effectively.

Mr. Phorn Sophal, reporter from Pholly News, who attended the worskhop in Battambang highlighted that “I appreciate that both the topic and content of the presentation were well-chosen, effectively raising awareness and educating us on the definition of gender and key terms essential to promoting gender equality and safety in journalism and the media industry. This is especially important in preventing abuse and harassment of female journalists, whether within institutions, online, or in the field.” 

By implementing the Gender-Sensitive Safety Guideline, Cambodian media institutions are encouraged to take an essential step toward ensuring that journalism does not only remain a profession that upholds diversity and inclusivity but also champions these principles as a role model for other industries and sectors.