UNESCO Strengthening Media Dev and FoE in Cambodia 2021-2024 UNESCO Stärka mediautveckling och yttrandefrihet i Kambodja 2021-2024 Det övergripande mål är att stärka yttrandefriheten, pressfriheten och tillgången till information i Kambodja samt att främja en säker, fri, pluralistisk och oberoende mediemiljö.
UNESCO strävar efter att skapa en gemensam plattform för alla aktörer som arbetar inom området. Projektet fokuserar delvis på dialog och tekniskt stöd till ansvarsbärare kring lagar och riktlinjer som påverkar medier och journalister. Samtidigt kommer projektet att arbeta direkt för att stärka och stödja rättighetsinnehavare som journalister, organisationer i det civila samhället, akademin och journalisters fackföreningar. Arbetet inriktas främst på kapacitetsutveckling, koalitionsbyggande och stöd till påverkansarbete för att bidra till att stärka yttrandefriheten, pressfriheten och tillgången till information samt skapa en säker arbetsmiljö för journalister, med särskilt fokus på kvinnliga journalister. Projektet omfattar flera relevanta aktörer inom media och civilsamhället i Kambodja och har ett tydligt fokus på påverkansarbete mot relevanta statliga aktörer för att påverka den demokratiska utvecklingen och stävja det krympande utrymmet och den ökande självcensuren för journalister och medieaktörer i Kambodja. Som en del av projektet genomför också OHCHR Kambodja kapacitetsbyggande kring säkerhet för journalister, mediehus, medieföreningar och MR-försvarare. The overall objective is to strengthen freedom of expression, freedom of the press and access to information in Cambodia, as well as to promote a media environment that is secure, free, pluralistic, and independent.
UNESCO aims to create a common platform for all actors working within the project's focus area. The project focuses in part on dialogue and technical support to duty bearers with responsibility for laws and guidelines that affect the media and journalists. At the same time, the project work directly to strengthen and support the rights holders such as journalists, civil society organizations, academia, and journalists' trade unions. This work primarily focus on capacity development, building coalitions and supporting advocacy work to help strengthening freedom of expression, freedom of the press and access to information, and to create a safe working environment for journalists with a special focus on female journalists. The project includes several relevant actors within media and civil society in Cambodia and with a clear focus on advocacy against relevant state actors to influence democratic development and curb the shrinking space and increasing self-censorship of journalists and media actors in Cambodia. As an implementing partner to the program, OHCHR Cambodia also provides capacity building on safety for journalists, media houses, media associations, and HRDs. The intended impact of the project is that Freedom of expression, and its corollaries, press freedom and freedom of information in Cambodia are strengthened, and a media environment that is safe, free, pluralistic, and independent is promoted.

The overall objective is being pursued through eight outcome areas:

1. Enhanced policies and legal frameworks related to the protection and promotion of freedom of expression, right to information and safety of journalists, in accordance with international standards.

2. New knowledge related to Media Development and Freedom of Expression in Cambodia enables evidence-based solutions and interventions.

3. National mechanisms for the protection of journalists are established in the framework of the UN Plan of Action for the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity, including during crisis situations such as Covid-19.

4. Enhanced quality and ethical standards of Journalism in Cambodia.

5. Cambodian citizens resilience to disinformation and other information disorders is enhanced.

6. Women's voices in the media are amplified and their position in the newsrooms is strengthened.

7. Cambodian independent media is financially sustainable

8. Enhanced efficiency and harmonization in interventions in support of Media Development and promotion of Freedom of Expression in Cambodia.