Speakers share their thoughts on gender-sensitive safety guidelines at a forum organised by the DMC and UNESCO. DMC
The Department of Media and Communication (DMC) of the University of Phnom Penh is working with UNESCO on safety guidelines which will promote equality and enhance the protection of media professionals, particularly women and LGBTQ+ journalists.
Of the 8,000 journalists issued press cards by the Ministry of Information, 800 are women. They are central to the launch of a groundbreaking set of gender-sensitive safety guidelines.
Speaking at a January 27 workshop in Phnom Penh, Ung Bun-Y, director of the DMC, underscored the importance of journalism in democracy and accountability, while addressing the unique challenges faced by Cambodian media professionals.
“Journalists encounter significant risks such as censorship, harassment and violence. Women and LGBTQ+ practitioners face additional threats like online abuse and sexual harassment, with limited protections in the sector,” he said.
A UNESCO study conducted in 2020 revealed that 73% of women working in the media have faced online violence. As of 2021, only 9.4 per cent of Cambodian journalists were women, with an even smaller number in leadership roles.
The lack of gender policies within media institutions has further marginalized women and LGBTQ+ journalists, according to a 2023 UNESCO study.
“Journalism is a cornerstone of democracy, yet gender inequality and underrepresentation in leadership continues to hinder the sector,” Bun-Y claimed.
The new guidelines draw from local and international practices, including the UNESCO Gender Indicators for Media and a Safety Policy Checklist, tailored to the Cambodian context. These measures aim to address the physical, psychological and digital safety of journalists.
Vinh Socheata, an independent advisor and researcher, delivers a presentation at the January 27 forum. DMC
Vinh Socheata, an independent advisor and research leader, emphasised the urgency of adopting these guidelines across Cambodian newsrooms.
She pointed out that female and LGBTQ+ journalists, who constitute a minority, face barriers such as harassment, discrimination and limited career advancement.
“With only 9.4 per cent of journalists in Cambodia being women, their perspectives are often overlooked, particularly at decision-making levels,” Socheata said.
She urged newsrooms to implement harassment-free workplace policies, establish gender committees to monitor issues and provide regular gender-sensitivity training.
“Safety goes beyond physical risks; psychological and digital safety are just as critical,” she noted, highlighting the need for anonymous reporting mechanisms and leadership opportunities for underrepresented groups.
Hang Samphors, team leader of the Cambodian Female Journalists (CFJ), echoed the call for greater institutional support.
Participants discuss gender-sensitive safety guidelines at the Phnom Penh forum. DMC
“Media organisations need a firm commitment from employers and funders to implement gender safety principles effectively. Many female journalists are victims of harassment, especially sexual harassment,” she said.
Samphors also emphasised the need for staff councils to serve as gender committees, addressing workplace harassment and providing emotional and mental health support.
“Based on the CFJ’s experience, many women are victims of harassment, particularly sexual harassment,” she told The Post.
Samphors noted that female journalists face greater challenges and risks in the field than within their organisations, though workplace harassment still impacts their mental and emotional well-being.
She also highlighted the broader challenges facing journalism in Cambodia, such as declining press freedom and the growing dominance of social media, which often prioritises speed over quality and ethical content.
“In the past, people trusted television, magazines, radio and newspapers. Now, social media has created chaos, overshadowing professional journalists producing ethical content,” she added.
Tep Asnarith, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, noted that of the 8,000 journalists registered with the ministry, 10% – around 800 – are women.
Participants in the workshop on gender-sensitive safety guidelines for Cambodian journalists on January 27 pose for a group photograph. DMC
“Regarding safety, both in their duties and in publishing news, in 2024 we provided protection for journalists dealing with disputes and complaints. There were no threats reported against our female journalists,” he told The Post.
Asnarith added that the ministry and information departments across the country promptly act on requests from all journalists seeking support to carry out their work, including resolving disputes and providing legal protection.
Samphors also highlighted how professional journalists producing quality content often struggle to gain attention, while non-journalists attract viewers by disregarding ethical standards.
This has led some professional journalists to leave their jobs for personal content creation, which offers better financial rewards.
She emphasised the need for role models who earn a dignified living from journalism and called for collective efforts from the government, civil society, journalists and citizens.
“It’s essential to improve social morality, as declining compassion and humanity have made people less helpful and empathetic to one another,” she warned.
