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Most journalists surveyed in Cambodia who cowl environmental points really feel unsafe and worry intimidation, a report by the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Affiliation (CamboJA) mentioned on Thursday.
The report attracts on a nationwide survey of 74 journalists throughout Phnom Penh and 22 provinces, together with interviews and a spotlight group.
It discovered 62% of respondents really feel unsafe reporting on environmental points, together with 11% who mentioned they really feel very unsafe. One other 22% reported feeling impartial, whereas simply 5% mentioned they really feel secure.
Journalists cited dangers together with intimidation, restricted entry to info and reporting websites, authorized threats, on-line harassment and bodily violence. Many linked these dangers to protection of delicate subjects akin to deforestation, land conflicts, local weather points and Indigenous rights.
“Greater than seven in ten respondents indicated that they really feel unsafe or very unsafe whereas conducting environmental reporting,” the report mentioned, including that the findings replicate a broader local weather of strain and uncertainty.
Key obstacles to reporting embrace strain from native authorities, cited by 66% of respondents, authorized restrictions (54%), and restricted entry to dependable knowledge or official info (47%). Restricted sources and technical experience have been additionally reported as hampering in-depth protection.
CamboJA, the analysis arm of CamboJA Information, mentioned the examine goals to information efforts to strengthen protections for journalists, enhance collaboration and assist coverage and advocacy for a safer reporting surroundings.
The report follows a string of circumstances over the previous 12 months underscoring dangers confronted by environmental reporters, together with the killing of native journalist Chhoeung Chheng, the arrest and authorized circumstances towards reporter Uk Mao, and the banning of British investigative journalist Gerry Flynn from Cambodia.
It additionally famous that main points, akin to large-scale environmental crimes linked to highly effective actors and the basis causes of environmental destruction, stay underreported.
In 2025, CamboJA documented 61 human rights violations affecting 57 journalists, together with 5 girls. Seven of the circumstances concerned journalists overlaying environmental points.
Thang Sinorn, a reporter at native outlet Kiripost, mentioned the findings mirrored her expertise investigating the killing of Chhoeung Chheng, which raised issues about each bodily and authorized dangers. She mentioned she frightened about being denied entry to the scene and potential repercussions from these concerned.
“Solely about 20% of my issues relate to being a girl journalist. The remainder contain security and confrontations with authorities,” she mentioned.
She added that arrests of journalists typically include rapid accusations and little transparency. Sinorn referred to as on authorities to cooperate by sharing info, and urged journalists to uphold skilled requirements and strengthen the media sector.
Chhan Sokunthea, govt director of the Cambodia Heart for Unbiased Media urged the federal government and the Ministry of Info to increase press freedom and cease harassment of environmental journalists, saying such reporting serves the general public curiosity.
Respondents additionally referred to as for authorized reforms, notably to Penal Code provisions on incitement and defamation. Many urged the creation of an impartial press council to deal with media disputes, in addition to stronger measures to enhance the security, capability {and professional} networks of environmental journalists.
Cambodia ranks 151 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index, highlighting a constrained media surroundings.
Ministry of Info spokesperson Tep Asnarith mentioned journalist security stays a precedence and that press playing cards are issued to assist defend reporters. He mentioned the ministry encourages cooperation with authorities, notably in high-risk areas, and urged journalists to stick to moral requirements.
Nonetheless, a number of native journalists, together with Thang Sinorn, mentioned that they had but to obtain press playing cards greater than 4 months into 2026.
