CC​HR calls for the nomination of journalist​s to be profiled in a Press Freedom Campaign to mark World Press Freedom Day 2013

CCHR PRESS RELEASE – Phnom Penh, 12 April 2013

CCHR calls for the nomination of journalists to be profiled in a Press Freedom Campaign to mark World Press Freedom Day 2013

The 3 May 2013 is World Press Freedom Day – a day which celebrates press freedom, highlights its importance and pays tribute to journalists worldwide who have lost their lives as a result of their profession. This year’s theme is “Safe to speak: Securing Freedom of Expression in All Media”. Journalists work tirelessly and often put themselves at risk in order to provide invaluable information to the Cambodian public and yet the public knows very little about these journalists, reporters, photographers, bloggers, cameramen, etc. In order to mark World Press Freedom Day 2013, the Cambodian Center for Human Rights (“CCHR”) seeks to turn the camera on the journalists themselves and is therefore initiating a campaign to honor Cambodian journalists who have exhibited exceptional levels of professionalism and integrity in their work. By highlighting the contributions of twenty journalists – one per day from 3 to 23 May - CCHR’s campaign also seeks to commemorate twenty years of democracy and human rights related reporting in the Kingdom of Cambodia (1993-2013).

In order to develop a strong pool of potential candidates to be honored via this campaign, CCHR would like to request nominations from you and your colleagues. CCHR seeks to profile, not only journalists working in print media but in all sorts of media, including radio, television and the internet. Those nominated should be committed to the dissemination of correct information, especially related to human rights, democracy, politics, good governance and social issues.

Having received all nominations, twenty journalists will be selected by CCHR and one per day will be profiled on CCHR’s website and social media sites. The campaign will highlight Cambodian journalism in the run up to the International Freedom of Expression Exchange (“IFEX”) General Meeting and Strategy Conference, which will be held in Phnom Penh from 17 to 20 June 2013 and will place increased international attention on Cambodia. CCHR is a member of IFEX - the global network of organizations dedicated to promoting and defending freedom of expression - and will be helping to host the General Meeting and Strategy Conference in June.

To nominate, please complete the form attached and return it to ramanasorn@cchrcambodia.org by 25 April 2013. CCHR would be very grateful to receive your nominations and thanks you in advance for your participation. Self-nomination is also welcome.

CCHR Freedom of Expression Project Coordinator Ramana Sorn comments:

“Through this campaign, CCHR hopes to raise awareness of the importance of responsible, independent journalism in Cambodia and to encourage other journalists to follow in the footsteps of those profiled. We also feel that it is important to highlight World Press Freedom Day seeing as this year’s theme is particularly relevant in Cambodia, where journalists are regularly harassed for reporting on sensitive issues. And most importantly, CCHR wishes to celebrate those journalists who are already carrying out their work unfazed by censorship, despite the considerable risks involved.”

For more information please contact Ramana Sorn via telephone at +855 (0) 17 65 55 91 or e-mail at ramanasorn@cchrcambodia.org or Consultant Orla Kelly via telephone at +855 (0) 67 72 70 25 or email at orla.kelly@cchrcambodia.org.

Please kindly find the press release and the nomination form attached in both English and Khmer.

Kind Regards,
CCHR