Environmental journalist investigating illegal deforestation shot dead in Cambodia

«Reporters without borders» call on the Cambodian authorities to ensure that the guilty are punished and to strengthen the protection of journalists in a country where press freedom is under serious threat.

On December 7, 2024, journalist Chheung Chheng, who was wounded two days earlier, died in the hospital of the city of Siem Reap in Cambodia. A 63-year-old reporter for the online publication Kampuchea Aphivath was fatally wounded. He covered illegal deforestation in Boung Per Nature Reserve.

The international organization «Reporters without borders reported this  (RSF).

The regional authorities of Siem Reap announced the arrest of the suspect the very next day after the attack. According to local media reports, the detainee admitted that he shot the journalist after he photographed him while transporting illegally cut forest.

The international organization «Reporters Without Borders» (RSF) called on the Cambodian government to ensure that those responsible for this crime are severely punished and to take measures to protect journalists.

«This murder is outrageous and requires a strong response. We call on the Cambodian authorities to take concrete measures to stop violence against journalists», — said Cedric Alvani, RSF's Asia-Pacific bureau director.

Investigations into illegal logging in Cambodia are often accompanied by violence. In 2014, reporter Taing Trai was shot dead while exposing links between the security forces and the timber trade.

According to RSF, press freedom in Cambodia has been steadily deteriorating since 2017, when then-Prime Minister Hun Sen launched a massive crackdown on independent media. In February 2023, the government revoked the license of Voice of Democracy, forcing it to cease operations.

A year after coming to power, Prime Minister Hun Sen is continuing the policy of repression begun by his father. According to a recent report by CamboJA, the number of legal harassment cases against journalists, especially those covering environmental issues, is increasing.

Cambodia has lost nine places in RSF's World Press Freedom Index in the past two years, falling to 151st out of 180. The country is on a list of countries where threats to press freedom are rated as «very serious».