The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) bestowed awards on five journalists for their Covid-19 reporting at a ceremony on Monday.

Sao Sok Eng, a journalist from thmeythmey.com, took home the top prize. Mao Samnang, from the TV station PNN, came in second. Mom Kunthear, a former reporter at Lotus Radio FM 100.5 and currently with The Post, came in third.

Fourth place was awarded to Sorn Sok Kheang, a CNC TV station reporter, while Eng Kimhong from Radio France International was placed fifth.

Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith presided over the ceremony. He said it was a good initiative to help journalists improve their skills and that the value of journalists’ was suffering because unprofessional ones are producing unprofessional and messy work.

Kanharith said: “There are a lot of unprofessional journalists who cause confusion, which lowers the value of professional journalists.”

CCJ president Pen Bona said journalists have contributed to educating people. “I think during Covid-19, our reporters have put in a lot of effort to fulfil their duty without concerning themselves with being tired. They do not give up,” he said.

CCJ secretary-general Puy Kea said there were 14 women and 11 male journalists from various media institutions nominated for awards.

He said the criteria for the awards considered the flow of the news piece, its main ideas, its uniqueness and its effectiveness in conveying news about Covid-19.