• Society

Young Journalists Highlight Role of Media 

• By Heng Sreylin
• May 3, 2024 2:10 PM

PHNOM PENH – As World Press Freedom Day is being celebrated, three young journalists have spoken about their role in disseminating facts and changing negative social attitudes for the benefit of country.

They spoke also about giving space for people to voice their concerns ethically and professionally and for the government to address these concerns.

They say that being a journalist needs more than patience and high responsibility as it also requires the ability to cover the truth, judge fairly, verify information and respect the rights of sources as well as protecting privacy.

Sam Oudom, who graduated with a degree in media management from the Department of Media and Communication in 2022, works for Radio France Internationale (RFI) in Khmer. 

He started as an intern in 2021 and covers a wide range of topics such as society, environment, politics and economics.

He wants to change the social mindset, partly by writing news and bringing the voice of the people to the government as well as to eliminate negative impacts on society.

“As a journalist, you have to adhere to professional ethics, and in writing, you also have to have clear information,” Oudom said. 

Oudom said he has encountered many issues including criticism, being under surveillance by the authorities or being forced to delete photos, have his phone or recorder confiscated and even threatened. 

While all of these things are inevitable in this career, he remained committed to truth and ethics.

Isa Sahanah, 20, a reporter at PNN television, said journalists have the right to publish information but it must be factual and journalists must adhere to the profession.

She said journalists should go on site more often rather than sit in one place because the chances to get more information  are out there.

Sahanah said that some people value journalists but others do not because they might have encountered problems with unprofessional reporters, which make them hesitate to talk.

Not many women worked in the media and those that do faced many challenges but this did not stop her from doing her job. 

She said women’s voices were influential in the media and women journalists were as strong as their male peers.  

Hasanah hopes to see journalists, especially women, receive the value they deserve.

Por Kimhok, reporter at BTV news station, agreed that the media plays an important role in society, bridging the people and the government. He said journalists are the key players in bringing information to fill gaps in the community and an important driving force for a better society.

Kimhok said such an important role comes with responsibility.

“It is the responsibility of journalists to be aware of their role, rights and laws so that no wrongdoing will happen,” he said.

“Some journalists have fulfilled their role beyond their limits. Some have become the authorities. Some have become the judge.”

Oudom said it seemed that there was still a gap between the government and the media profession. Some officials were hard to approach and some ministries did not want to talk to reporters.  



Originally written in Khmer for ThmeyThmey, this article was translated by Torn Chanritheara for Cambodianess.