Cambodian Journalists Enhance Skills in Australia Media Exchange

Six Cambodian journalists learned the power of independent journalism, balanced reporting, newsroom innovation, fact-checking and Australian culture during an Australia-sponsored media exchange program organized by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). The program, which ran from June 20 to 28, allowed the journalists to engage with leading media organizations and government institutions in Sydney and Canberra. In Sydney, they met media professionals from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Australian Associated Press (AAP), Google News Initiative trainers and startup media outlet TDA. Discussions focused on newsroom operations, maintaining editorial independence through accountability and complaints mechanisms, developing sustainable revenue models based on audience needs, strengthening fact-checking practices and using artificial intelligence to improve newsroom efficiency. In Canberra, they joined a roundtable discussion with DFAT’s Public Diplomacy and Influence Branch, and question time at Parliament House. At the parliament, they witnessed the democratic process of debates between the opposition and ruling elected party representatives. Participants shared their experience covering news in Cambodia and explored how independent journalism contributed to accountability, transparency and informed public debate in democratic societies. Meng Seavmey, a journalist with Cambodianess, said the exchange program offered valuable lessons they could share with colleagues back home, thus multiplying its impact across Cambodian newsrooms. “Although there are only six of us on this trip, each of us can share what we’ve learned with our colleagues,” she said. “I learned how Australian newsrooms maintain editorial independence, adapt to digital journalism and use creative storytelling to engage younger audiences.” Fiona Hoggart, head of the ASEAN-Australia Centre, said that Cambodians have been active participants in the center’s initiatives, with applicants from Cambodia accounting for about 40% of the 900 applications by young women entrepreneurs for the Generation Next program. “The relationships our youth are forming today will support a stable, peaceful and prosperous region in the future,” said Hoggart. Australia also supports Cambodia’s long-term development via the Australia-Cambodia Development Partnership Plan 2025-2029 which focuses on strengthening institutions in education, skills development, economic governance, climate resilience and public administration to help deliver sustainable outcomes, she mentioned. Nop Vy, executive director of Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association (CamboJA), said that the participants were given a “valuable opportunity” to gain insights into the standards and operations of major Australian news organizations. “Australia is a democratic country with free and fair elections, and it is home to many major news organizations that operate independently in the public interest. Learning about newsroom practices and operations in different settings helps journalists establish professional standards and expand their knowledge,” he remarked. CamboJA News journalist Sovann Sreypich was among the participants, Vy said, adding that the program is a “good starting point” for Cambodian journalists to understand the media landscape in Australia better. He noted that Australia is an important development partner of the Cambodian government and also works closely with civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations and independent media. As a result, such exchanges could help strengthen professional journalism and deepen cooperation between the two countries, Vy said.