This report focuses on concrete actions media can take to strengthen the prospects for peace and weaken the chances of renewed violence. Cambodian Journalists' Training Program Cambodia's media history is one of intimidation, imprisonment and assassination. While a certain amount of tension between a free and challenging media and the government is considered healthy in any setting, in Cambodia the tensions are heightened by journalists who are reckless in their reporting and officials who are too quick to stifle expression. Each person interviewed expressed a strong interest in a Canadian post-election media development initiative, and the Cambodia Journalists' Training Project was born. Launched in September 1999, the project is funded by the Peacebuilding Fund of the Canadian International Development Agency.
Radio reaches more people in Cambodia than any other medium.
Newspapers do not circulate beyond Phnom Penh city limits. Television is in its infancy in the country, and is still beyond the means of millions of rural Cambodians. Radio, however, reaches every province, whether through provincial stations, relay transmitters, or in some cases through loudspeakers in the marketplace. Also, while print training has been offered for some time at the university and other training institutes, radio training has been offered sporadically and to very small numbers up to now. The comprehensive program being delivered is designed to improve the skills of Cambodian journalists, build their capacity to train themselves, and build the capacity of Cambodian media development organizations.