Food and journalists

Last night, I literally had to force a group of really wonderful journalists across town in Siem Reap, in search of vegetarian food. I'm usually easy and can settle for any compromise for food, but when the only option was raw salad (at a BBQ place), my friends suggested we went elsewhere, even though I knew they really wanted to try the BBQ. So, the 10 of us, including Melanie from CMFR, got into the 4-wheel drive again to look for another place. I felt bad, but I really appreciated the folks for accommodating my dietary needs. And then I feel bad because there is usually too much food for me, that I find myself stuffing my face just to avoid wastage:)


(the Cambodian wayang kulit at the restaurant last night)











But they've been great on all fronts. The training, organised by the Cambodian Centre for Independent Media, attracted 40 journalists from around Cambodia (in Malaysia, we - in CIJ - used to be so grateful when even 5 journalists turned up! I know the record has improved since:)) - with the focus on reporting freedom of expression. The organisers were very helpful and made it very comfortable for us. The programme was a bit heavy though, but organisers always try to maximise the opportunity when they get a group of journos together.

Cambodia is not an easy place to work as a journalist. From what is essentially a one-party authoritarian rule (manifested by the number of legal restrictions placed on expression) to the alleged extent of corruption, journalists face numerous threats in the course of their work.

Over the two-days we spent with them, we heard different violations, and importantly, how journalists felt about the limitations that exist. Some were inclined to accept that if it was in the law, then state restrictions were justified. Never mind that the law was problematic to begin with. But the overwhelming majority felt that the curbs on freedom of the press and freedom of expression were unreasonable.

I was asked by one of the journalists to compare Malaysia and Cambodia. I was inclined to conclude that there were more similarities than differences. Legal instruments are used to justify actions against the media, such as censorship and persecution. Like many governments in the region too, politicians tend to demand and exercise more control and powers than they actually deserve.

I've always been inspired by stories of people who have fought the system and come out of their challenges with a stronger resolve. Even if the Cambodian journalists are going through tough times (threats, professional standards etc, welfare issues), the existence of groups trying to work for press freedom groups just means that there's mobilisation against the violations, against the system. We may have been limited by our language differences, but we had more, not less, to share.

Tonight, there is a plan for a grand buffet and maybe an evening drive around the Angkor Wat. I think the contradictions are fascinating, and challenging. Greatness in heritage, and a society struggling to find its footing in dealing with today.

So, good luck to the friends in the Cambodian media who hope to raise the profile of freedom of expression higher:)