MJ reports back from the Phnom Penh Post

MJ student Zela Chin has completed the first week of her internship at the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia and gained her first byline.

The Post is a daily English language newspaper published in full-colour tabloid format in Phnom Penh. Cambodia’s oldest English language newspaper, it provides news and analysis of current issues.

“This was my first week interning at the Phnom Penh Post in Cambodia. I am enjoying Phnom Penh very much.  I like the slow relaxing pace of life especially after living in frenetic Hong Kong for four and half years.

Frankly, I was surprised at the good infrastructure in Phnom Penh.  The roads are well paved, and public transportation – motos and tuk-tuks – are easy to flag down. The people are very friendly here, and the expats are rougher around the edges and more laidback than in Hong Kong.

The newsroom works a Sunday through Thursday schedule, and publishes a Monday through Friday daily paper. The staff is mostly in their 20s and 30s, and are used to having journalists passing through.

That being said, the newsroom staff is also excellent at training newcomers.  Since my arrival, I have gotten quickly up-to-speed on local issues, have been subediting articles, and I even got my byline on an acid attacks article this week.

All in all, it’s been a good experience thus far.  I can’t wait to find out what happens the rest of the week!”