On August 12-13, 2013, Cambodian Centre for Independent Media (CCIM) staff members completed a training workshop in Citizen Journalism conducted by Malaysiakini Program Director Maran Perianen, with a view to grow and develop their current citizen journalism program.
During training, CCIM staff analysed various market models and platforms for citizen journalism, new technologies available, training and skill development methods, as well as identifying risks and issues in this field.
Training was followed by an in-depth workshop and brain-storming session to determine which methods would be suitable for CCIM, as well as a discussion about practical ways these methods could be implemented to address the goals of the organisation.
Currently there are 24 citizen journalists from different provinces of Cambodia who report to CCIM.
The objectives of the CCIM citizen journalism program support the overarching goals of the organisation, as demonstrated in CCIM’s Mission Statement:
“Promoting democratic governance, transparency and freedom of expression through unbiased news and other media, while providing a voice to disadvantaged groups and aiding the development of independent, sustainable and professional media institutions”
Providing a voice for the provinces and rural areas of Cambodia through their Citizen Journalism Program is an important component in CCIM realising their vision: “Everybody well informed and educated, everybody developed”.
In Cambodia, social, digital and mobile penetration is increasing at an impressive pace, hence this form of journalism maintains a crucial role in building an open and democratic society and can be a key resource for news organisations looking to deliver timely and highly-relevant information to the public.
The fact remains that citizens can often report breaking news more quickly than traditional media reporters, not to mention the fact that citizens may also have access to news and information that mainstream reporters do not.
Citizen journalism does not come without its share of issues and challenges, as was explored in the training course, but if managed effectively can be a valuable source of information for Non-governmental organisations.
The Citizen Journalism Program at CCIM has already been utilised to some success, with citizen-generated content being integrated into the organisation’s various media platforms.
Currently, the CCIM features a ‘News from the community’ module on the organisation’s newly-launched website VODhotnews.com, which includes image galleries, video and news stories direct from the provinces. As well as this online initiative, the organisation’s popular radio program Voice of Democracy (VOD) frequently broadcasts reports from citizen journalists, bringing issues and events within remote areas of Cambodia to the wider public and the forefront of public debate.
