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Most journalists surveyed in Cambodia who cover environmental issues feel unsafe and fear intimidation, a report by the Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA) said on Thursday.
The report draws on a nationwide survey of 74 journalists across Phnom Penh and 22 provinces, along with interviews and a focus group.
It found 62% of respondents feel unsafe reporting on environmental issues, including 11% who said they feel very unsafe. Another 22% reported feeling neutral, while just 5% said they feel safe.
Journalists cited risks including intimidation, restricted access to information and reporting sites, legal threats, online harassment and physical violence. Many linked these risks to coverage of sensitive topics such as deforestation, land conflicts, climate issues and Indigenous rights.
“More than seven in ten respondents indicated that they feel unsafe or very unsafe while conducting environmental reporting,” the report said, adding that the findings reflect a broader climate of pressure and uncertainty.
Key barriers to reporting include pressure from local authorities, cited by 66% of respondents, legal restrictions (54%), and limited access to reliable data or official information (47%). Limited resources and technical expertise were also reported as hampering in-depth coverage.
CamboJA, the research arm of CamboJA News, said the study aims to guide efforts to strengthen protections for journalists, improve collaboration and support policy and advocacy for a safer reporting environment.
The report follows a string of cases over the past year underscoring risks faced by environmental reporters, including the killing of local journalist Chhoeung Chheng, the arrest and legal cases against reporter Uk Mao, and the banning of British investigative journalist Gerry Flynn from Cambodia.
It also noted that major issues, such as large-scale environmental crimes linked to powerful actors and the root causes of environmental destruction, remain underreported.
In 2025, CamboJA documented 61 human rights violations affecting 57 journalists, including five women. Seven of the cases involved journalists covering environmental issues.
Thang Sinorn, a reporter at local outlet Kiripost, said the findings reflected her experience investigating the killing of Chhoeung Chheng, which raised concerns about both physical and legal risks. She said she worried about being denied access to the scene and potential repercussions from those involved.
“Only about 20% of my concerns relate to being a woman journalist. The rest involve safety and confrontations with authorities,” she said.
She added that arrests of journalists often come with immediate accusations and little transparency. Sinorn called on authorities to cooperate by sharing information, and urged journalists to uphold professional standards and strengthen the media sector.
Chhan Sokunthea, executive director of the Cambodia Center for Independent Media urged the government and the Ministry of Information to expand press freedom and stop harassment of environmental journalists, saying such reporting serves the public interest.
Respondents also called for legal reforms, particularly to Penal Code provisions on incitement and defamation. Many urged the creation of an independent press council to handle media disputes, as well as stronger measures to improve the safety, capacity and professional networks of environmental journalists.
Cambodia ranks 151 out of 180 on the World Press Freedom Index, highlighting a constrained media environment.
Ministry of Information spokesperson Tep Asnarith said journalist safety remains a priority and that press cards are issued to help protect reporters. He said the ministry encourages cooperation with authorities, particularly in high-risk areas, and urged journalists to adhere to ethical standards.
However, several local journalists, including Thang Sinorn, said they had yet to receive press cards more than four months into 2026.
