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Created in 2007, the Cambodian Center for Independent Media (CCIM) is an independent organization committed to using media production and capacity building as tools for promoting social justice and change. Its goal is to promote democratic governance by creating a pluralistic and independent media environment in Cambodia. Its primary medium for doing this is VOD radio, which is broadcast through the radio station Sarika FM in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, and online through www.vodhotnews.com. CCIM also publishes news content, research and reports online through its website.
The political environment in Cambodia has played, and continues to play a central role in shaping the country’s media landscape. Although technically (according to the Constitution and political framework that was created after the Paris Peace Agreements of 1991) Cambodia is a liberal parliamentary democracy, the party which has ruled for much of the time since – the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) – has established and maintained an authoritarian rule.
A significant consequence and enabler of their continued stronghold has been their control over the media in Cambodia. Although there are sections of the media which can be considered independent, and civil society organizations and NGOs such as CCIM work arduously to keep and increase this independence, much of the media in Cambodia today (television, radio, print and online) is controlled by the government. This control comes in the form of direct or indirect ownership, censorship and influence by way of manipulation of the law. For example, the widespread practice of self-censorship among Cambodian media professionals has been borne out of a fear of being prosecuted for criminal offences under the country’s penal code for reporting on issues which highlight any controversial activities by the government.
It is within this context that CCIM operates, working to promote democratic governance, freedom of expression and independent media. It does this by reporting on news that impacts the daily lives of citizens, giving the public a forum to voice their opinions, conducting research to both inform public awareness and use as evidence to lobby government to act on key issues, conducting training for professional and citizen journalists and facilitating opportunities for media professionals to come together and establish common standards and codes of conduct.
All of the work that was done in this vein during the three-year period from January 2009 to December 2011 fell under the scope of CCIM’s Enhancing Independent Media in Cambodia project. This report provides a detailed summary of the initiatives which were carried out as part of the project, as well as an overview of the outcomes of the project as a whole, the challenges that CCIM faces moving forward and the plans it holds for the future.
