AKP Phnom Penh, April 22, 2026 --

The Cambodian Human Rights Committee (CHRC) has formally requested that The Wall Street Journal review, remove, and correct the use of the term “Scambodia” in a recent article, calling the headline derogatory and inconsistent with responsible journalism.

In a letter dated April 22, 2026 and addressed to Editor-in-Chief Emma Tucker, CHRC President H.E. Keo Remy expressed concern over the article titled “How Cybercrime Became a Leading Industry in Scambodia,” published on April 19, 2026.

The committee said the term unfairly associates Cambodia as a whole with transnational criminal activity and risks promoting hatred and discrimination against the Cambodian people.

According to the letter, the phrase is viewed as a sensational and provocative label that does not reflect the principles of accuracy, fairness, and responsibility expected in ethical journalism, particularly when reporting on complex issues such as cybercrime.

The CHRC argued that the matter goes beyond national image and also concerns human dignity and reputation, which it said are recognised under international human rights principles. It added that language stereotyping an entire nation could contribute to collective blame and damage investor confidence.

The committee noted that online scams are part of a wider transnational criminal network operating across multiple jurisdictions and should be addressed through international cooperation rather than simplified narratives.

It also highlighted Cambodia’s recent measures to combat cybercrime, including strengthened law enforcement operations, cooperation with international partners, and the enactment of a Law on Combating Online Scams.

In its letter, the CHRC called on The Wall Street Journal to:

• Immediately retract the term "Scambodia" from its publication;
• Issue a correction or clarification reflecting accurate and balanced reporting;
• Refrain from using derogatory terminology in future coverage;
• Issue a formal apology for the use of the insulting title;
• Revise the title to reflect a more accurate, balanced, and non-stigmatising representation of the issue.

The committee said it remains open to constructive engagement and urged global media outlets to uphold professional ethics and respect for human rights principles.

By C. Nika