Between the state and the electorate? how Cambodian journalists define democracy

Abstract

Recent years have seen a crackdown on the independent press and civil society in Cambodia. Cambodia, once praised as a successful case of externally administered democratic transition, is sliding further towards authoritarianism. Journalism and democracy have long been closely intertwined. In democracies, journalists are often considered the “4th estate of government” and are ascribed key roles in democracies: as watchdogs to monitor government performance, to represent the public and as a source of information for both the electorate and the state. Through a qualitative research approach, this research seeks to investigate how Cambodian journalists define democracy and how they view their role in relation to the state and the electorate. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews with ten Cambodian professional journalists. The interviews focused on their work as journalists, their definition and thoughts on democracy, and the Cambodian media landscape, and political reporting in Cambodia. Cambodian journalists share an understanding of democracy, that in addition to key elements such as people’s power and elections – which mirror public contestation and participation – especially focuses on freedom of expression and to a slightly lesser extent, on civil and political rights. This further underlines how deeply connected human rights and democracy are. Cambodian journalists further understand themselves as democratic actors: they function as a bridge between the electorate and the government

they act as a watchdog to hold the government accountable

and they educate the electorate in order to make informed decisions. The research contributes to a gap in the literature regarding the relationship between Cambodian journalists and democracy. Further, the question of the local definition of democracy in Cambodia has not been extensively explored. It further contributes to a discourse on democratization, the local definitions of democracy, and the roles of journalists within a democracy. This is especially important at a time in which we experience democratic backsliding and a turn toward more authoritarian-style politics across the globe. Implications of the thesis: Suggestions for further research: 1. Further research should seek to explore how journalists can shape the concept of democracy of Cambodian citizens and how Cambodian citizens form political opinions. It would be crucial to also consider the role that digital media plays in shaping the concept of democracy. 2. It is crucial to understand whether the Cambodian electorate has a substantive understanding of democracy and its associated rights.