The Ministry of Women’s Affairs is urging publications to report more professionally on violence against women after a media review found patterns of coverage that made light of the subject.
The ministry stated in a Tuesday press release that it had collaborated with two non-governmental organizations, Action Aid and Gender and Development Cambodia (GADC), to gauge the implementation of its recently produced media Code of Conduct for reporting on gendered violence.
The review monitored 10 media outlets between June and August, the statement read. These outlets are: ABC, Khmer Times, Koh Santepheap, Phnom Penh Post, Nokor Thom, Rasmei Kampuchea, TVB, DAP, Fresh News and VOD.
The ministry said that several of the publications reported on violence against women in a “humorous” way, writing “inappropriate titles” and posting pictures of victims apparently intended to shock their audiences.
“[This] affects their honor, their dignity, it affects their mentality. Sometimes, they will end up migrating or isolate themselves from the society, or lead to suicide,” said Sor Sineth, deputy director of the ministry’s social development department.
At the same time, the ministry’s release said only a few publications adhered to a Code of Conduct item that calls for providing information that prompts authorities to take action or to educate the public to change negative attitudes on gendered violence.
Sineth said the ministry, in collaboration with the Ministry of Information, has set up a working group to provide training to journalists.
“Some journalists, we always meet once a month to raise challenges and review issues, or contact some journalists who write outside of our Code of Conduct,” she said.
