Awards aimed to improve journalists’ professionalism
MINISTER of Information Khieu Kanharith said the establishment of the Gratitude Awards for journalists of five generations – from the 1970s to today – was intended to link veteran journalists with the younger generation, to encourage them to befriend one another, share experiences and develop their professionalism.
Kanharith made the remarks while presiding over the handover ceremony of the awards held at the ministry on March 24. The occasion built relationships among the journalism community and motivated them to help each other, he said.
The 14 winners were drawn from many different media forms, including newspaper, TV and online. The Post’s chief of staff, Phak Seangly, was among those honoured.
“We want journalists to help each other and adhere to professional ethics. Ethics are like a bullet-proof vest in this industry. Provided their moral integrity is up to the task, they play a crucial role in society,” he said.
He said the sharing of information from one generation to another is an important process because it grows collective knowledge and builds a sense of tradition and culture.
In a democratic society, civic participation is paramount, because it contributes to good collective decision-making. Decisions must almost be made when you have access to sufficient information – and those who provide complete information are journalists.
“A journalist who is professional and ethical can help not only the citizens of a nation, but the leaders,” he said.
Phos Sovann, head of the ministry’s General Department Information and Broadcasting, said the 14 Gratitude Awards recipients had a wealth of experience in the media sector. Some of them are also instructors or professors – who share their knowledge with their younger counterparts.
Prum Sela, Tnaot News editor-in-chief for Khmer language, said he appreciated the award because it brought the different generations together.
Prum Say, editor of Areythor News and one of the awardees, said the programme would inspire journalists everywhere to keep their standards high.
“These awards are not just for the efforts that individual journalists have made, but also provide motivation for their institutions and other media outlets to see the value of journalism as a profession. They may also encourage the next generation of reporters to step into this field,” he said.