Ethical journalism rewarded in Cambodia

An UNDEF Cambodia project to strengthen ethics in journalism organized the country's first awards in this area in December 2013. Awards were distributed to 13 Cambodian media organizations -- TV stations Bayon, Apsara, Hang Meas, SEATV, TV 5, TV 3, TV 9 and CTN and newspapers Koh Santepheap Daily, Kampuchea Thmey, Rasmei Kampuchea, Moneakseka Khmer and Nokor Wat. Cambodia's Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith (pictured) spoke at the event, promising to support the project and work for additional funding on similar initiatives. The project works to improve the ethical standards of mainstream newspapers and TV stations through a watchdog mechanism, monitoring the adherence of newspapers and TV stations to the Journalism Code of Ethics, and turning the investigative power of the media on itself by producing a media watch TV Show, website and awards that draw attention to the best and worst media practices. The project is implemented by the Cambodia Health Education Media Service.