That same year, they launched —a weekly show entirely in Cambodian Sign Language (CSL), without voice-over. It was a bold statement: deaf people deserve news in their own language, not as an afterthought.
For decades, people with disabilities in Cambodia—whether physical, visual, hearing, or intellectual—remained largely invisible in the country’s media landscape. They were often portrayed as objects of pity or charity cases, not as active, capable citizens. COSD, founded in 2002 by students with disabilities, had spent years advocating for accessibility in education and employment. But they realized a critical gap: no media outlet was by and for people with disabilities. cosd tv cambodia
As their founder, Srey Leak (a wheelchair user since a childhood polio infection), often says: “We didn’t start this channel to ask for sympathy. We started it to show ability. And now, Cambodia is finally watching.” That same year, they launched —a weekly show
In 2022, COSD TV caught the attention of the Ministry of Information. Impressed by their pandemic work, the Ministry officially recognized them as a legitimate digital media outlet—the first disability-led channel to receive such status. This opened doors for small government advertising contracts and partnerships with major NGOs. They were often portrayed as objects of pity
Their next dream: a 24/7 streaming channel and a mobile app with customizable accessibility features.
Today, COSD TV Cambodia is still small, still underfunded, and still fighting. But they have become a symbol. Their studio now has a ramp, a hearing loop, and screen-reading software. They train young people with disabilities in journalism, camera work, and digital marketing.