On Saturday afternoon, the Italian Business Chamber Cambodia (ItaCham), in collaboration with the League of International Relations Affairs (LIRA) and AmCam Exchange, hosted an insightful session on Satellite Journalism. The event brought together experts, academics, and professionals to explore the intersection of satellite technology and investigative journalism, highlighting its potential for discoveries, reporting, and storytelling.
The session featured two distinguished speakers: Mr. Bormy Chanthong, GIS Specialist at Urbanetic Pte Ltd, and Dr. Emiliana Valentini, Researcher at Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR). Moderated by Dr. Riccardo Corrado, Vice Chairman of ItaCham and Associate Professor at CamEd Business School, alongside Marinet Kham, Program Coordinator at the Security and Strategic Studies Institute (3SI), the discussion delved into the applications of satellite technology, both active and passive, when combined with aerial data from airplanes and drones.
The speakers demonstrated how satellite imagery plays a crucial role in journalistic investigations, enabling reporters to analyze large-scale phenomena with accuracy and depth. From environmental monitoring to security analysis, the session illustrated how remote sensing data can provide critical evidence for reporting on major societal and environmental issues.
Satellite technology is transforming journalism in many ways. Environmental reporting benefits from satellites tracking air pollution, deforestation, and illegal logging, providing real-time data that helps expose environmental degradation. Disaster monitoring is enhanced through satellite images that allow journalists to report on wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters, offering a broader and more immediate perspective on crisis situations. In urban development and land use, satellite data is valuable for monitoring urban expansion, land encroachment, and infrastructure projects, offering insights into how cities are changing over time. Security and conflict analysis also see significant improvements, as journalists and analysts can investigate border conflicts, military activities, and crime trends by assessing satellite imagery and other geospatial data. Additionally, climate change studies greatly benefit from long-term satellite observations that help document the effects of rising sea levels and shifts in agricultural patterns.
During the session, the discussion focused on Cambodia-specific issues such as air pollution, wildfires, deforestation, and illegal logging. The speakers emphasized the need for collaboration between scientists and journalists to ensure that satellite data is effectively used for public awareness and policy-making. The session also provided examples from Italy and Southeast Asia, illustrating how countries are leveraging satellite technology for investigative purposes. Participants learned how institutions like the European Space Agency (ESA) and Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI) are working on projects that support data-driven journalism.
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Scientists can provide technical expertise and data interpretation, while journalists bring storytelling skills and the ability to reach a broader audience. The event highlighted potential mechanisms to strengthen these connections, such as joint training programs, open data initiatives, and research collaborations.
The session was enriched by the participation of academics from CamTech University and the American University of Phnom Penh, as well as LIRA Founder Kim Sun. Additionally, Serena Sapio from the Istituto Universitario di Studi Superiori (IUSS) Pavia joined the discussion online, further enhancing the international exchange of knowledge and expertise.
The event demonstrated the transformative power of satellite journalism in uncovering hidden realities, supporting investigative reporting, and fostering a more informed society. With growing access to geospatial technology and satellite data, journalists and researchers can continue working together to tell stories that matter—stories that shape policies, influence public opinion, and drive meaningful change.
As satellite technology becomes more accessible, its role in journalism will continue to expand. Events like this strengthen the bridge between technology and storytelling, empowering journalists to use data more effectively while ensuring scientific research reaches the public in impactful ways.
