Media education in Cambodia

The Centre for Advancing Journalism (CAJ) has been selected by UNESCO to research Cambodia’s journalism education sector and provide advice about how international supporters might better support media training.

The 9-month consultancy project is being led by Liam Cochrane, who has been reporting on Cambodia for 20 years. In December 2022, Liam and CAJ director Andrew Dodd conducted field research in Phnom Penh, with the assistance of Cambodian journalist Lon Nara. They met students, teachers, reporters, editors, non-government organisations, donors and diplomats. A qualitative survey will also be conducted by specialist Cambodian researcher Chandore Khuon.

Weeks after the visit, the Cambodian Government forcibly shut down the last remaining independent newsroom, Voice of Democracy. It’s a new low point for the nation’s much beleaguered media and reflects a wider shift to an outright dictatorship.

The project will result in a published report giving an overview of Cambodia’s journalism education sector, as well as targeted advice for universities and UNESCO