Phnom Penh: At a national conference on the theme “Preparing a Peaceful Future: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development and Security,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Information highlighted the remarkable progress in the press freedom space and efforts to protect journalists through legal mechanisms and out-of-court dispute resolution.
Mr. Tep Asnarith, Undersecretary of State and spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, said that 70.4% of the total survey participants claimed to have never faced threats, harassment or violence in their work in the past year, while 84.6% claimed to have never been sued by citizens or authorities for their reporting.
He said that from 2025 to the first quarter of 2026, the Ministry of Information helped facilitate and protect journalists by intervening to secure their release. and bailed a total of 14 journalists, mediated 37 extrajudicial disputes/complaints involving 69 people, and provided legal protection in 7 court proceedings involving 15 people.
The spokesperson emphasized that organizing order and updating relevant legal regulations in the information sector did not restrict freedom, but helped protect professional journalists from fraud or attacks with fake news, especially in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining influence. According to the survey results, 96.3% supported strengthening the qualification requirements to protect professional values and build public trust.
At the same time, the Ministry of Information continues to be committed to promoting information security and strengthening professional quality by calling on all stakeholders to participate in a constructive spirit, dare to recognize the truth, and learn to accept the efforts that Cambodia has made, especially the efforts of the Ministry of Information in promoting the right to freedom of the press as the foundation of press freedom in the rule of law.
It is worth noting that media organizations, civil society, and development partners jointly celebrated World Press Freedom Day on April 30, 2026 at the Himawari Hotel under the national theme “Promoting a free and responsible media for peace and development.”
The day-long event discussed the implementation of existing laws and new regulations to strengthen professionalism and integrity of information by ensuring proper professional conduct, respecting the law, and strengthening the capacity of journalists to provide timely and safe information during crises, and discussed ethics and transparency in the use of AI technology to maintain public trust.
The conference was attended in person and via Zoom by distinguished speakers, representatives of key institutions including the Ministry of Information, the Ministry of Environment, representatives of UNESCO, representatives of the embassies of France, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Malaysia, the NPA in Cambodia, Reporters Without Borders (RSF), civil society organizations from CamboJA, CCIM, CMPO, content producers, and students, totaling approximately 150 people.
