Independent media face increasing restrictions and threats. In 2024, there were 41 cases of harassment involving at least 64 journalists.
This statement was originally published on cchrcambodia.org on 2 May 2025.
We, the undersigned Cambodian and international civil society organizations, human rights defenders and media rights advocates, express deep concern in response to the increasing restrictions on and threats to the country’s remaining independent media. In addition to the myriad challenges faced by journalists and independent outlets by the Government and powerful actors – legal harassment, intimidation, arrest, arbitrary license revocation, censorship – they now face an additional challenge: funding cuts. These financial constraints severely hinder the ability of independent media to continue to operate. The impact of this will be felt most significantly by the Cambodian public, as their access to credible information will be undercut and democratic processes undermined.
Joint Declaration
We, the undersigned Cambodian and international civil society organizations, human rights defenders and media rights advocates, express deep concern in response to the increasing restrictions on and threats to the country’s remaining independent media. In addition to the myriad challenges faced by journalists and independent outlets by the Government and powerful actors – legal harassment, intimidation, arrest, arbitrary license revocation, censorship – they now face an additional challenge: funding cuts. These financial constraints severely hinder the ability of independent media to continue to operate. The impact of this will be felt most significantly by the Cambodian public, as their access to credible information will be undercut and democratic processes undermined.
On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, we — together with development partners — commemorated this important day on 2 May under the theme “Protecting Cambodia’s Independent Media.” This event aimed to draw public and stakeholder attention to the urgent need to protect and promote pluralistic media voices essential to a healthy democracy, specifically in response to the funding cuts that independent media outlets have recently faced.
This year’s theme highlights the significant financial challenges faced by independent media outlets across Cambodia, both those operating at the national and local community level. These cuts exacerbate the current situation for such independent outlets and journalists who were already a minority in Cambodia’s media landscape, in which reporting that critically analyzes the actions and policies of those in power is increasingly scarce, due to the retaliation it is systematically met with.
In 2024, CamboJA documented 41 cases of harassment involving at least 64 journalists. Legal harassment was the most common, with five journalists placed in pre-trial detention and one tragically killed while carrying out their work. In early 2025, three more journalists were detained on charges of incitement, and a British investigative journalist – who had spent five years reporting on deforestation and environmental issues in Cambodia – was banned from reentering the country.
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