About CCJAfter Cambodian publishers, editors, and journalists from newspapers and international news agencies volunteered to band together, the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) was formed on August 26, 2000, to serve the interest of Cambodian journalists.
CCJ is not a political organization, or does serve the interest of any political or other groups rather, it is a non-governmental organization, which acts independently and neutrally to protect and act in the interest of Cambodian journalists. The Club is made up of Cambodian journalists from different political tendencies and from International news agencies.
Our main missions are to protect Cambodian journalists against any abuse, promote press freedom, to help Cambodian journalists have power and similar standard as their regional counterparts in term of their professional capabilities, and to foster cooperation among Cambodian journalists and with the regional and international colleagues.
The establishment and the activities to date of CCJ are due to the large contribution of Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation of Germany in both spirit and facilities.
Goals
Our aim is to secure the rights of Cambodian journalists and improve their working conditions. Further more we want to implement and support professionalism and spread independent journalism. As an association we connect journalists all over the Country, represent their interests and empower them to raise their voice to report the truth, provide the people with accurate and reliable information.
Activities
Main activities of the Club of Cambodian Journalists are monthly roundtable discussions and small discussions, editors’ forums, training courses and seminars, monitoring any abuse or violence against Cambodian journalists, media extension and journalism awards.
1. Roundtable discussions and small discussions
CCJ has organized monthly roundtables and discussions during its activities. These meetings have brought journalists coming together and have given them opportunities to meet face-to-face with high ranking officials. More importantly, these meetings have helped promote solidarity among journalists and encourage a joint struggle against all forms of abuse, persecutions and violence.
2. Editors' Forums
The initiative of editors’ forum started at the end of 2003. The Forum goes to a lot of effort to professionalize the media coverage in Cambodia by inviting editors from different news organization to meet and discuss issues regarding the media coverage and issues facing Cambodian journalists. Results of each forum will be published in our News category.
3. Training Courses
The CCJ also plays an important role in giving training courses and seminars in order to professionalize Cambodian media. The sessions up to now included seminars on basic computer training, courses for provincial journalists, business and economic reporting, court reporting, establishment of local media and a training course on Khmer Rouge Trials Reporting.
4. Protection
Club of Cambodian Journalists issues statement to condemn any kind of abuse against Cambodian journalists and also help Cambodian journalists solve their cases with the plaintiff out of court. In 2006, four newspapers faced the defamation lawsuits.
5. Journalism Award
In order to promote the professionalism, encourage the Cambodian media to stick to the code of conducts and improve their skills in reporting, the CCJ organizes an annual journalism contest and award the best stories. Journalism Awards on Reporting Poverty Alleviation, Decentralization, and Relationship between Britain and Cambodia have, so far, been conducted.
6. Media Extension Project
Besides its regular tasks the CCJ also accomplishes individual projects like the Media Extension Project. Supported by Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation and the European Union the three-year project focused on the role of journalists in promoting democracy at the local level. In the second year two provincial newspapers were established: Samnei Thmey Newspaper and Siem Reap News. The project ended in 2005. However, we continue our effort by inviting provincial journalists to the training courses held in Phnom Penh and organizing regular Press Trips in cooperation with the Delegation of the European Commission to Cambodia in which Journalists are invited to cover the stories in the provinces.
Advantages
As a CCJ member, you participate in an elaborate network of Cambodian journalists and partners who improve their profound impact in the field of local journalism.
Most importantly you benefit from CCJ´s large universality, including an independent information process under consideration of the Code of Conducts, the journalists education and their protection. Training courses and seminars are provided regularly to improve skills and professionalism constantly. Fellowship to foreign countries and Journalism Awards encourage journalists in their endeavor. In this way the association converges Cambodian journalism to an international standard. CCJ also tries to protect every Cambodian journalist from any abuse or injustice.
Users visiting www.ccj.com.kh can expect detailed and neutral information of a non-profit association. CCJ journalists publish regular articles on topics like Cambodian media situation, working conditions and press freedom.
Membership
CCJ membership increases every year, reaching more than 130 journalists in 2006. It is made up of founding members, active members and associate members. CCJ member pays a monthly membership due of 5000 Riel (Cambodian currency). To be qualified as a CCJ member, a journalist must have at least two years experience and is working for a news organization.
If you are interested in further more information of becoming a CCJ Member, please turn your request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Last Updated ( Tuesday, 16 March 2010 )