CamboJA News has been awarded the World Justice Project’s Anthony Lewis Journalism Prize, recognizing our investigative reporting and daily coverage of issues undermining the rule of law in Cambodia.
As one of the country’s last remaining independent newsrooms, CamboJA was recognized for its persistent coverage of civil justice, labor rights, crackdowns on dissent, organized crime, corruption, and regulatory failure – providing critical, impartial journalism for local and international audiences in an increasingly restricted media landscape.
This marks CamboJA News’ first major international journalism award. In 2020, its advocacy arm – the Cambodian Journalists Alliance – was nominated for a Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Award.
CamboJA News serves as the editorial division of the Alliance, which was founded in 2019 to defend press freedom and promote ethical, independent journalism in Cambodia.
The prize, named for the Pulitzer Prize-winning legal reporter Anthony Lewis, is presented by the World Justice Project (WJP), a global research and civil society organization that promotes the rule of law. The award honors “journalistic courage and craft that strengthens accountability and advances adherence to rule of law principles.”
In WJP’s global Rule of Law Index, Cambodia ranks 141st out of 142 countries, a position it has held nearly every year since the index was launched 2015, reflecting deep and persistent rule of law issues.
Among the standout work cited was a CamboJA News investigation that uncovered apparent efforts by a senior politician to evade sanctions. The story raised questions about sanctions compliance by foreign firms operating in special economic zones and the extent of state protection for powerful tycoons linked to criminal networks.
WJP also highlighted the newsroom’s months-long probe into the national police’s handling of industrial-scale scam operations. That investigation revealed how more than 1,000 potential human trafficking victims went unaccounted for following a police raid on a scam center, underscoring a pattern of negligence.
CamboJA News said it was honored by this recognition and proud to have its work spotlighted alongside other outstanding journalists and newsrooms. This year’s runner-up, iStories Media, is an independent Russian outlet operating in exile and providing accountability reporting on abuses linked to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Thank you to WJP for recognizing the value of our reporting. It means a lot to our team,” said CamboJA News Director Chhorn Chansy. “We’ll keep reporting without wavering.”
“I’m ecstatic and incredibly proud of our team,” said CamboJA News Associate Editor Coby Hobbs. “Given the ongoing threats against journalists in Cambodia and the state of press freedom, this is a much-needed moment of positivity for the industry.”
CamboJA remains committed to delivering rigorous, independent journalism in Cambodia. That work is made possible by the continued support of our readers and donors, the newsroom said.
*For media inquiries regarding CamboJA News’ receipt of the Anthony Lewis Prize, please contact News Director Chhorn Chansy at +855 17 908 849 or [email protected].
