PHNOM PENH: Cambodia is taking steps to strengthen professional standards in the media sector, with the Ministry of Information leading the drafting of new guidelines which it claims aim to safeguard the rights and dignity of women, children and persons with disabilities in news reporting.
The plan was discussed during a Thursday (April 23) inter-ministerial meeting, chaired by ministry undersecretary of state and spokesperson Tep Asnarith, which reviewed and provided input on a draft set of guidelines on reporting related to vulnerable groups.
The proposed framework is intended to serve as a key ethical reference for journalists and media practitioners across both traditional and digital platforms, reinforcing adherence to professional standards while preventing harm to individuals featured in news coverage.
“This guideline is an important normative framework to guide all media operators to uphold high professional ethics, especially when reporting on social issues,” Asnarith said, during the meeting.
He stressed that the initiative aims to ensure that reporting contributes to the protection and promotion of the rights of vulnerable individuals, rather than causing negative impacts on their dignity or reputation.
The meeting brought together representatives from six ministries, including women’s affairs, social affairs, telecommunications, education, and culture and religion, alongside officials from the information ministry and other members of the drafting working group.
In total, around 40 participants attended, contributing both technical and policy-level feedback.
The participants broadly welcomed the initiative, describing it as “a necessary step to strengthen protections for vulnerable groups in media coverage”.
They also highlighted the importance of aligning the guidelines with existing national laws and international standards.
Key provisions under discussion include the requirement to obtain prior consent before conducting interviews, as well as strict safeguards on protecting the identity of victims in cases involving violence, sexual abuse or other sensitive incidents.
The draft advises against disclosing names or showing identifiable images of victims, particularly women, children and persons with disabilities, citing the potential long-term harm to their safety, dignity and future.
The guidelines also place emphasis on the use of inclusive and respectful language, urging journalists to avoid discriminatory, stigmatising or sensationalist expressions that could undermine the dignity of vulnerable individuals.
In addition, the draft outlines a set of practical “dos and don’ts” for media practitioners, including a prohibition on exploiting images or information about vulnerable individuals for commercial purposes, which officials described as a serious breach of ethics.
The drafting process has involved consultations with a range of international partners, including Plan International Cambodia, Save the Children, World Vision, UNICEF and Care, alongside reviews of relevant legal and human rights frameworks.
A series of meetings have been held to incorporate input from both media professionals and subject-matter experts.
According to Asnarith, the meeting marked a critical step in ensuring that the guidelines are comprehensive, consistent and applicable across the sector.
He added that the initiative forms part of the information ministry’s broader priorities under its seventh-mandate strategy, which places an emphasis on strengthening the regulatory framework and improving order in Cambodia’s information landscape.
“The development of this guideline reflects the ministry’s continued efforts to enhance the effectiveness of legal instruments in the information sector,” he said, noting the importance of collaboration among government institutions, development partners and media stakeholders.
Once finalised, the guidelines are expected to serve as a practical tool to support more responsible, rights-based journalism in Cambodia, particularly in the rapidly evolving digital media environment. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
