The statement urged the Cambodian government to ensure a free, safe, and secure environment for journalists and news outlets.
Phnom Penh, May 2, 2023 – The 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day is jointly commemorated on 2nd May 2023 in Phnom Penh by over 10 civil society organizations and media association/organizations in collaboration with development partners. This event gathers around 200 participants including journalists, representatives from civil society organizations, youths, and other stakeholders.
This year’s theme is “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of Expression as a driver for all Other Human Rights”. With this theme, the undersigned civil society groups, media association/organizations working to promote access to information, press freedom and freedom of expression in Cambodia collectively urge the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) and all stakeholders to continue paying more attention to addressing the following requests:
1. Ensure a free, safe, and secure environment favourable for journalists and news outlets to perform their professional role without restriction and fear, especially before, during and after the upcoming July national elections.
2. Development partners should increase support for the work of independent media and civil society organizations, which provide protection services and emergency support to journalists who are at risk as a result of their journalistic practices.
3. Stop all forms of harassment against media houses and journalists who dare to report “sensitive” social issues and release all journalists who remain in prison, particularly ending the use of the penal code to prosecute journalists in relation to their work.
4. Accelerate the legislation of access to information in accordance with international standards and ensure effective enforcement of the law.
5. The RGC must be open for comprehensive consultations with and accept inputs from relevant stakeholders in the amendment process of the press law, as well as other new draft legislations such as the cybercrime draft law, the cybersecurity draft law and other regulations that potentially undermine press freedom and freedom of expression.
6. The RGC must enhance its efforts to eliminate all forms of gender-based violence against woman journalists to show its commitment to enabling greater participation of women in journalism sector.
