story by Cheng Sokha after visiting Cambodia...

HIV Turnaround Project in Mekong subregion Internews Europe brought the team of four journalists (2 prints & 2 radio) in Prey Veng Province, Cambodia. The field trip was arranged to promote discussion between People Living with HIV (PLHIVs) in Prey Veng Province, so journalists could interview them about accusations in the media and from PLHIV that a local NGO was being accused of stealing food rations from PLHIVs given by World Foof Programme (WFP).

On the 2nd and 3rd of June journalists went to Prey Veng to Cambodia to cover the story. Internews trained journalists and mentored in HIV reporting through their research and story-writing and also helped them to meet with relevant sources in Phnom Penh when they returned from the trip.

After this investigative trip Cheng Sokha, a local newspaper reporter produced the story "NGO denies stealing food from HIV orphans". Following the 5 stories published an aired by the team of journalists, WFP conducted an urgent investigation and found 17 cases among 317 beneficiaries should not have received the food support regarding to the criteria of the WFP. The investigation is ongoing. It was also inspired by unbalanced reports on the same topic by two local newspapers Rassmey Kampuch and Cambodge Soir. Chea Sotheacheath also produced a radio feature on the story for Radio Free Asia that aired in Khmer language on the evening of June 23,07.

Also Cheath said that: "I would like to inform you that the report I did for the radio was aired again on 8 th June 6 30 am while the head of the accused NGO tried to convince me and my team to produce another report to make him look good.We denied this request."