Six Cambodian Journalists Detained Over Border Scam Reporting, Rights Groups Warn of Press Freedom Decline

February 18, 2026 – Cambodia –

Six journalists were detained by authorities in early 2026 after reporting on alleged border scam activities, prompting condemnation from press freedom advocates who say the arrests reflect a broader erosion of media freedoms in the country. The journalists, who work for various independent outlets, were taken into custody after publishing coverage that questioned irregular financial practices and corruption tied to a border area near Thailand.

According to reports from Camboja News and Open Development Cambodia, the journalists published a series of stories and multimedia reports highlighting suspected scam operations at the Poipet Special Economic Zone, where residents and travellers have reported being defrauded by online investment schemes and other illicit activities. The coverage drew public interest but also scrutiny from officials who cited national security and public order concerns.

Authorities detained the reporters under provisions of Cambodia’s penal code that criminalise statements seen as “damaging public order or security,” although specifics of the charges were not immediately disclosed. Rights organisations say the legal basis is vague and has been used to stifle reporting on corruption and civic concerns — particularly when journalists expose activities involving politically sensitive individuals or networks.

Press freedom advocates, including the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and local civil society groups, condemned the detentions as tactical moves to intimidate media workers and discourage investigative reporting. They warned that the arrests contribute to a climate of self-censorship among journalists hesitant to report on sensitive or controversial topics due to fear of legal reprisal.

In response, union leaders and rights defenders have called for the immediate release of the detained journalists and an end to the misuse of criminal statutes against independent reporting. They emphasised that covering alleged scams and corruption is squarely within the public interest and that punitive action against reporters undermines transparency and accountability.

The incident reflects mounting concerns about the state of press freedom in Cambodia, where journalists have faced arrests, harassment, and legal pressure for exposing wrongdoing or questioning authorities. Critics say such tactics erode trust in the justice system and inhibit the flow of information vital to civic engagement and democratic discourse.

As the situation develops, rights organisations continue to monitor the journalists’ legal status and advocate for protections that uphold freedom of expression and the role of the press in reporting civic issues without fear of detention or retaliation.

Reference –

Six Journalists Detained Over Border, Scam Reporting as Rights Groups Warn of Sliding Press Freedom

Six journalists detained over border, scam reporting as rights groups warn of sliding press freedom