Cambodian media urged to prioritise safeguarding of children in reporting

The Star

24-05-2025

PHNOM PENH: Journalists and editors from leading Cambodian media outlets gathered Friday (May 23) for a landmark training session on the ethical and responsible portrayal of children and youth in media coverage.
The one-day workshop, held in Phnom Penh, focused on child safeguarding in journalism — a critical issue increasingly recognised across Cambodia, the region and the globe.
Tep Asnarith, spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, opened the 'Safeguarding Guidelines for Journalists and Editors Training' workshop. He stressed the importance of protecting children, youth and vulnerable groups in media narratives.
'Today's seminar is in recognition of the growing need to ensure the safety of our children,' he said.
'Children face rising risks, from exploitation and exposure to inappropriate content, to cyberbullying and online fraud, that can even escalate to human trafficking,' he added.
Drawing on insights from Asean experts, the he cited concerns over regulatory gaps and law enforcement challenges, including limited coordination, financial constraints and insufficient skills.
He emphasised the media's powerful role in influencing public understanding and attitudes.
'Journalists must consider how their stories affect children as if they were their own siblings, sons or nieces,' he said.
Journalists and editors from leading Cambodian media outlets gathered today for the landmark training session on the ethical and responsible portrayal of children and youth in media coverage. - Photo: The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
Highlighting the moral and professional duty of the media, Asnarith called for stronger adherence to ethical standards that honour the dignity and rights of children and youth.
'Responsible journalists play a vital part in protecting the future of society's youngest members,' he added.
Representing a coalition of five major child-focused organizations — Plan International Cambodia, Save the Children, World Vision, CARE, and UNICEF — Yi Kimthan, interim country director of Plan International Cambodia and a Communications Network Representative, reinforced the workshop's shared objective: building a culture of ethical journalism that centres children's well-being.
'We gather with a shared purpose: to strengthen our collective ability to report ethically and responsibly on issues involving children and young people, especially girls and young women,' Kimthan said.
'Their best interest must not just be a consideration, but the guiding principle of every narrative,' he added.
Kimthan noted that although Cambodia's National Charter for Professional Journalism (Prakas No.085) and international standards exist, many journalists remain unfamiliar with safeguarding principles, especially when reporting on trauma or sensitive issues.
This gap, he warned, could lead to unintentional harm or lasting psychological impacts on young subjects.
Importantly, the event also marked the foundation of a proposed 'media-safeguarding network' — a collaborative initiative to foster ongoing cooperation between the press and child-focused NGOs in promoting child-sensitive and gender-inclusive journalism.
'This training is about more than just policy,' Kimthan continued.
'It's about building a culture of ethical journalism that champions the safety and rights of every child,' he concluded.
The training delivered practical guidance, through dos and don'ts guidelines, which emphasised the importance of portraying children with dignity, securing informed consent and avoiding practices like sensationalism or publishing without adequate safeguards.
Key topics included defining vulnerable children, reinforcing principles such as respect, non-discrimination and doing no harm.
Hun Sinun, technical advisor at CARE, delivered an in-depth presentation on gender and inclusion. Hong Raksmey
Participants were guided through practical 'Dos' like protecting identities, seeking informed consent, using dignified imagery and respecting children's voices.
The training also highlighted the importance of corroborating stories, using empowering language and ensuring follow-up care.
Equally stressed were the 'Don'ts' — avoiding exposure of identities, sensationalism, unsafe interview spaces, inappropriate imagery and publishing without safeguards.
The guidelines advise against leading questions, forced participation and physical contact without consent.
Further advancing the discussion, Hun Sinun, technical advisor at CARE, delivered an in-depth presentation on gender and inclusion, posing the essential question: 'Why does gender matter in your profession?'
She articulated the necessity of inclusive storytelling and gender-balanced reporting as ethical imperatives and essential to audience trust.
'Gender shapes how stories are told, who gets to tell them and who is represented,' she said.
'From framing content to creating safe and equal workplaces, gender influences every layer of our professional environment,' she added.
She explored the distinctions between gender and sex, emphasised the importance of addressing unconscious bias, and encouraged media leaders to cultivate inclusive leadership and representation in their newsrooms.
'Inclusion is about more than just presence,' she noted.
'It's about belonging, fairness and respect for diversity. Everyone deserves to feel seen, heard and valued,' she added. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN