UN Experts Urge Suspension and Review of Cambodia's New Charter for Professional Journalism

The Charter’s broad scope, which covers individual journalists, media outlets, publishers, journalists' associations, and social media platforms, has raised significant concerns.

Independent UN experts have called for the suspension of Cambodia’s newly issued Charter for Professional Journalism and urged a thorough review and reform of the legislation. The Charter, formally promulgated by the Ministry of Information on 6 August 2024, was preceded by a brief public consultation period that allowed stakeholders only nine days to comment.

The experts criticized the lack of comprehensive consultations during the development of the Charter and noted that it was promulgated just four days after the consultation deadline, without further discussion or incorporation of stakeholder feedback.

The Charter’s broad scope, which covers individual journalists, media outlets, publishers, journalists' associations, and social media platforms, has raised significant concerns. The experts pointed out several issues:

Public Interest Override: The Charter fails to include a public interest override, which could protect freedom of expression.

Remedies for Errors: It does not adequately establish rights of correction and reply for media outlets that make factual errors.

Information Accuracy: The Charter emphasizes the dissemination of accurate information and combatting “fake news,” without providing clear guidelines for verifying information before publication.

The experts stressed that the process of developing a professional media code should be inclusive, participatory, and transparent, allowing ample time for review and feedback. They criticized the Charter's Ministry-led process and highlighted the absence of independent oversight or monitoring mechanisms.

“Cambodia, as a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, must ensure that any constraints on freedom of expression and press freedom comply with its provisions, particularly articles 19 and 20,” the experts said. They emphasized that the right to freedom of expression includes access to information and that journalists play a crucial role in ensuring public access to information.

The experts urged Cambodia to protect and promote an independent, free, and pluralistic media environment as a cornerstone of democracy and sustainable development. They called for the reform of laws, policies, and practices, including the Charter, that could impede freedom of expression.

 

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