Early morning on Wednesday, January 15, when I woke up, I thought, “YES…”
I knew that my assignment this morning, as assigned by my teacher Mr. Michael Dickison, was to go to the Phnom Penh Court of First Instance to help the VOD team on the story, “The first day of opposition leader Kem Sokha’s trial for treason begins at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court today.”
Before I left home to go directly to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, what I expected was that me, my classmate Mr. Sotha Vandy and especially other journalists would be going into a comfortable room and sitting down with judges, lawyers, civil society officers and officers from embassies. Maybe even breakfast and coffee — I did not carry them with me as usual… ha ha ha.
But in reality, as you guys can see in the photo (I am under the blue sign toward the far end): no seat, no air-con, no comfortable room to welcome us, and I am standing under the sun. And especially, I need to get in close to many male journalists and photographers… You guys can imagine the smell of sweat around me.
As a lifestyle journalist, as I mentioned at the beginning when I joined CCIM: “Where I usually appear are luxury hotels and five-star hotels, nice restaurants, modern automotive dealerships, businesses and fashion events, etc. … any place where people can enjoy their lifestyles and spend their money to release their stress. But I really don’t know about places where people face violence, where they hurt and lose their beloved in life, where politicians confront issues of injustice in Cambodia, where politicians create drama for fans and audiences.”
This week it was the perfect experience for me to dive into professional political journalism and swim with it, as part of the CCIM training course. I am understanding well now about all friends whose responsibilities are political issues, breaking news and photojournalism, and about becoming a professional today.
Last, but not least, I am very appreciative of your work, my beloved friends staying the the same career as me — we will walk together for our Cambodian country and leave behind fake news … LOVE YOU ALL
