A new report, “Environmental Journalism in Cambodia: Mapping the Landscape, Challenges, and Support Needs”, offers an important snapshot of the realities facing journalists covering environmental issues across Cambodia.
Produced by the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA), with CFOM’s Sara Torsner (right) serving in an advisory capacity, the study draws on a national survey of 74 journalists, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with reporters in Phnom Penh and across the provinces.
The findings show that environmental journalism in Cambodia is closely tied to some of the country’s most pressing public interest issues. Journalists most frequently report on deforestation, land grabs, climate change, Indigenous rights, mining, wildlife, and hydropower development – areas often linked to broader questions of natural resource governance and accountability.
The report also highlights the critical role played by provincial journalists. Reporters outside Phnom Penh are often closest to affected communities and provide essential on-the-ground coverage from forested and resource-rich regions where environmental conflicts are most visible.
At the same time, the research underscores the risks many journalists face in doing this work. A majority of respondents said they feel unsafe covering environmental issues, citing intimidation, denial of access to reporting sites or information, legal threats, and online harassment among the most common challenges.
Journalists surveyed also identified urgent support needs, including legal assistance, safety training, stronger environmental reporting skills, improved equipment, and more robust professional networks.
The study further found that women remain underrepresented in environmental journalism and may face additional barriers related to safety, mobility, and unequal opportunities in field reporting.
Overall, the report highlights both the importance of environmental journalism in Cambodia and the need for stronger protections and support for those reporting on issues that directly affect communities, ecosystems, and public accountability.
Please find the full report in English via this link.