Information and other requests. In some cases, the IPs gather at the commune office to demand information about the company clearing their land, and at the same time ask that they be allowed to cultivate their crops. Meetings among IPs, NGOs, authorities and companies. In most of the reported cases of IP land grabs, CSOs played a facilitating role in organizing meetings between all the actors involved in the land conflict, inviting the local authorities and companies claiming the land under ELC. This move has had varying degrees of success in terms of attendance by the companies and local authorities. Even where all stakeholders were present at a meeting, the meeting rarely yielded positive results for the adversely affected communities. Forest patrols. Some IP communities living in the areas where illegal logging is common organize forest patrols, to ensure that trees are not cut down contrary to the laws of Cambodia and IP customary practice. Role of media in highlighting issues and influencing public opinion The Cambodian media is largely considered as being under the influence of the ruling Cambodia People’s Party and therefore not free and independent. Accordingly, the Khmer-language media very rarely highlight the land alienation and other customary rights issues faced by IPs across the country. The English-language Cambodia Daily and Phnom Penh Post newspapers cover news about IPs, and are largely read by the expat community and educated Cambodians. Radio most effective. So far radio proves to be the most important medium with regard to highlighting IP issues. Radio is also the main media used and fairly easily accessible to IP communities. However most radio programs are in Khmer language, not the indigenous people’s languages, furthering the marginalization of women and elders who tend to have a more limited knowledge of Khmer. Social media. New trends in technology and changes in the demographics of Cambodia mean that an increasing number of people use social media. This trend has been highlighted most recently by the Kingdom’s parliamentary elections, which saw thousands of users of the social networking site Facebook sharing information and reporting election irregularities freely. Most CSOs working on IP issues in Cambodia are very active on social media and accordingly have the capacity to fill in the gaps in information regarding IP rights in Cambodia. Having said that, this is the trend in the cities and a lot of work and time is needed before meaningful progress on influencing public opinion regarding IP rights can take place. Most importantly, this medium of sharing information and news will only be really meaningful if it reflects and gives a platform to voices of the IPs, whose land rights are being violated. The need for indigenous peoples’ voices to be heard and the importance of empowerment of IPs through their access to and participation in media and the development debate applies to all media types. Key opportunities and strategies to advance indigenous peoples’ customary rights Involvement of all stakeholders. IP organizations, CSOs, local and central government representatives, and companies applying for ELCs, all need to be involved in joint discussions and negotiations on a regular basis. All stakeholders need to understand and acknowledge that they Lok Niti 37