Reporting on Migration and Trafficking course held in Phnom Penh

As Cambodia grapples with irregular migration, human trafficking and modern slavery, the Thomson Reuters Foundation held a training course for journalists – ‘Reporting on Migration and Trafficking’ – in Phnom Penh from June 17-21.

Sponsored by the C&A Foundation, the course saw 11 journalists enjoy a week of workshops, presentations and debate, run by Thomson Reuters Foundation Slavery and Trafficking Editor Kieran Guilbert and renowned Cambodian reporter Narin Sun.

The group included both local and foreign reporters working for the Phnom Penh Post, Globe Media Asia, New Naratif and Voice of America, as well as freelancers who have written for the likes of Al Jazeera, South Morning China Post and The Guardian.

The course featured sessions on how to sensitively interview survivors of modern slavery, dispelling myths and misconceptions on the topic, and how to draw parallels and show unusual or hidden links between slavery and other human rights issues.

The journalists brainstormed on how to find trafficking angles on major issues such as the exploitation of Cambodian migrants working in fishing in nearby nations, and the trafficking of women to China. They also received guidance and discussed the best ways to get their stories picked up by major publications in Cambodia and beyond, to achieve as much impact as possible and raise awareness on the topic in the region.

Several guest speakers joined the course to share their expertise, including Meas Sa Im of the NGO Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), Dy The Hoya of the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), Chamnab Mao of the Solidarity Centre, Peter Williams of the International Justice Mission (IJM), and unionist and labour activist turned journalist Sineat Yon.

The week was rounded off with “Dragon’s Den” or “Shark Tank” session which saw the journalists pitch a story regarding migration, human trafficking and slavery, with half the group to receive a mentor to help them shape the story for future publication.

The Phnom Penh course was one of a series of courses on covering migration, trafficking and slavery that are being run around the world this year by the Thomson Reuters Foundation in partnership with the C&A Foundation.

There are 8 courses in total throughout in 2019, featuring countries including Bangladesh, India, Mexico, Brazil, Thailand and Britain.

To find out more about our media development and training programmes, click here.