By William E. Todd, U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia
This week I received a number of questions from readers about the horrific attacks in Paris on January 7 that killed 17 people and injured many others. Eight of those killed were journalists for the weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was deliberately targeted for its satirical cartoons. Three police officers were also among the victims. Three of the terrorists were killed by police and a fourth suspect is currently at large. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of this heinous attack. This violence against members of the press reveals the degree to which terrorists fear freedom of expression and openness. It is a universal belief that these freedoms should be protected, even here in Cambodia. As the country’s media environment grows, the simultaneous growth of freedom of expression and openness is essential.
There is no justification for the senseless and brutal attack in Paris, which prompted an outpouring of support from around the world. Earlier this week I had the honor to sign the condolence book at the French Embassy, as did Samdech Prime Minister Hun Sen and many other ministers. As the Prime Minister correctly pointed out, this attack was more than just an act of terrorism; it was “a serious attack on basic freedoms, expression, and democracy.” I thank the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and many others for their solidarity in condemning this act of terror.
It’s a sad truth that journalists are no strangers to violence and intimidation. Journalists place their safety at risk every day to report the news, and many pay the price. According to the NGO Reporters Without Borders, 66 journalists were killed in the line of duty in 2014 and close to 200 more are currently imprisoned. The most dangerous places for reporters are conflict zones in countries like Syria and Ukraine, but violence can happen anywhere. Journalists are particularly at risk when reporting on corruption and other abuses of power.
Violence against journalists is a major concern, but it is not the only challenge that they face. In many countries media outlets face outright censorship or practice self-censorship. In the most recent survey by respected NGO Freedom House, more than two-thirds of the countries analyzed were rated as “not free” or “partly free” for freedom of the press. According to Freedom House, this includes Cambodia.
The media market also has to adjust to increasing financial pressure. The global media market is more crowded than ever, and while competition is good for any industry, profit margins that are already narrow are getting even smaller. The explosion of Internet and social media means that people are less likely to get their news from television, radio, and newspapers, which puts further pressure on “traditional” media. According to a 2010 survey, more Americans get their news from the Internet than from newspapers or radio, and three quarters receive at least some of their news from email or social media. The same will likely be true for Cambodia before long, if it isn’t already.
Media freedom is something every government must protect – free access to information enables consumers to make informed decisions, boosts the economy, and raises living standards. Fortunately, there are reasons to be optimistic about press freedom. . For one thing, the media landscape is more diverse than ever, which is something to celebrate. Social media has democratized media in ways that did not seem possible even a few years ago and opened the door not just for new media companies but also for citizen journalism. Cambodia has seen a significant increase in the number of online newspapers and blogs, which provide a new and interesting way to communicate with the public. At the same time, new technologies have made it possible to report from just about anywhere and almost in real time. During the 2013 Cambodian elections, for instance, social media was a significant source of information about political developments and activities.
There are also signs that traditional media in Cambodia is becoming more diverse. This week, I read news reports about the launch of Radio Wild Flower in Ratanakiri that is aimed directly at ethnic minority groups. Radio Wild Flower will air programs in a variety of local languages, including Kreung, Tompuon, and Jarai. These broadcasts open up exciting new avenues for communicating with citizens in a number of rural provinces. In November, the Ministry of Information received an application for a license from the Cambodian National Rescue Party to operate a television station. Although there are still many details to work out, the presence of an opposition CNRP TV station would diversify the programming available to Cambodians and would be a welcome addition to the media landscape. I welcome the opening of new media outlets and other actions that help resolve differences among Cambodia’s political parties, and hope that these opportunities will be utilized to focus on reform for the benefit of all.
While the growth of social media has indeed changed the way news is covered in Cambodia and around the world, it is imperative that traditional journalistic ethics and standards remain intact. Principles such as truthfulness, accuracy, impartiality, and public accountability are vital and should be respected by both the journalists that report the news and the laws that are implemented to ensure media freedom. Training that local NGOs have provided to citizen journalists not only improves reporting; it also places emphasis on professionalism and the moral responsibility that journalists have when covering the issues that matter most to the Cambodia people. With a wider range of voices and opinions on even the most sensitive topics, Cambodia will have a healthier democracy in the future.
Although the ways that we consume our journalism may be changing, the need for good reporting is more important now than ever. It is essential to remember that we, the readers, viewers, and listeners, have the ultimate say in what we consume, and that in turn says a lot about our priorities as a society. This week, more than five million copies of Charlie Hebdowere printed – nearly 100 times the usual circulation – and the proceeds were given to the families of the victims. By buying the edition in such large numbers, the people of France are making a clear statement that they value freedom of speech and the role of media in a free society. We can all do our part to follow this example and to support media outlets that stand for values that we want to promote and preserve.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read my column this week. Please continue to send me your thoughts, reactions, and questions – in English or Khmer – to AskAMBToddPP@state.gov. You can also read entries from my blog at http://blogs.usembassy.gov/todd.
William E. Todd is U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia.
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