The starting point is a meeting between two men. The first has a Breton surname but was born in the South of France. He studied journalism at the French Press Institute (Institut français de Presse) after taking a course at the Institute for Political Studies (Institut d’études politiques) in Aix-en-Provence. He then worked in Laos on several occasions before returning to France where he was awarded the Varenne Young Journalist award. He then returned to Cambodia to settle down with his wife. The first man's name is Laurent Le Gouanvic.
The second was born in Cambodia and grew up in Phnom Penh even though his father and sister lived in France. He studied journalism in the French department at the Royal University of Phnom Penh where he was awarded a degree in French Literature and a diploma in journalism and translation. He then began his career as a journalist. He was recently awarded the prestigious Hellman-Hammett International Prize for Journalism. The second man’s name is Sokha Duong.
"Sokha Duong is one of the few Cambodian journalists who abide by an ethical code and who refuse to accept a wad of notes at the end of an interview", confides Laurent Le Gouanvic. "The Cambodian media lacks professionals and does not really provide any objective information." Bullseye. Laurent and Sokha had come up with the idea for an independent medium which will become a window on Cambodia for all Cambodians, including those who live abroad, particularly in Paris' suburbs, the neighbourhoods of Long Beach and Montreal. An initial site which was put together by a team of volunteers was opened thanks to support from Stéphanie Gée, the Radio France Internationale correspondent in Cambodia and the Magnum agency photographer, John Vink. The ball is rolling. Nothing will stop them.