Phnom Penh: Samdech Maha Bovorathi Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Cambodia, said that ensuring information security, preserving national secrets in times of crisis, and managing the media order are not restrictions on press freedom and freedom of publication.
In a message on the occasion of the 33rd World Press Freedom Day under the theme “Building a Peaceful Future” on April 3, 2026, Samdech Hun Manet said that in the context of the digital age and artificial intelligence (AI), press freedom is not only a fundamental right, but also a strategic capability to contribute to promoting information security and must go hand in hand with respect for the law, ethics, professional integrity, social responsibility, maintaining public order, and national security.
The President emphasized that “ensuring information security, preserving national secrets in times of crisis, and regulating the press are not restrictions on press freedom and freedom of publication, but are guarantees of: 1. Providing information to citizens, 2: Ensuring information security, which includes the right to access information, clear sources of information, information quality and information security for citizens, and 3: Ensuring the protection of national security, social order and public order for the nation and the people.
The Prime Minister further stated that the Royal Government of the 7th term of the National Assembly has clearly identified the information, telecommunications and media sectors as core sectors that support good governance, strengthen trust between the state and the citizens, and protect the nation’s information sovereignty.
In addition, the Royal Government of Cambodia has continued to focus high priority on promoting press freedom and freedom of publication in Cambodia.
