Cambodian Journalists Fear for Their Future After U.S. Media Funding Cuts

Two Cambodian journalists, Vuthy Tha and Hour Hum, fled to Thailand for seven years to escape danger in their home country. Last year, they arrived in the United States on work visas, hoping to share truthful news back in Cambodia through Radio Free Asia (RFA). However, their jobs and ability to stay in the U.S. are now in jeopardy. This is due to President Donald Trump signing an executive order that cuts funding to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, the organization that supports RFA.

Vuthy, a single dad, feels scared that their ability to report accurate news will be taken away. Hour shares these worries, fearing they might have to return to Cambodia, where they could face serious punishment for being journalists. Both men are anxious about how they will care for their families and remain in the U.S. Cambodia has become hostile toward independent media, making it unsafe for them to go back.

Many journalists funded by the U.S. are in danger, with some even in prison. Reports show that at least 84 journalists in the U.S. could be sent back to countries where they might be arrested, tortured, or killed. Advocacy groups are urging the U.S. Congress to step in and help protect these reporters.

While some journalists are already fighting back with lawsuits, the situation remains troubling. The recent cuts to funding for U.S. media outlets have many worried that support for journalists abroad will decrease. One Vietnamese journalist, Khoa Lai, expresses fear about returning to Vietnam due to the risk that he could face imprisonment for his work.

Vuthy and Hour, who have been writing about important issues in Cambodia, are hopeful that RFA will continue to exist and provide important news.