AKP Phnom Penh, April 29, 2021 --

The Ministry of Information has continued to secure written and broadcasting news circulation across Cambodia despite the ongoing COVID-19 threat leading to some lockdowns.

The effort was noticed by H.E. Meas Sophorn, Under Secretary of State and Spokesperson at the Ministry of Information, in an interview with AKP yesterday.

Providing timely and accurate news is particularly vital in time of crisis as such, therefore the ministry has coordinated COVID-19 vaccination for over 5,000 reporters now so that they can do their job safely, said the spokesperson.

Amid the lockdowns and travel restrictions in some areas, he added, the ministry has issued special travel passes for reporters and photographers to allow them to bring the news from where it happens – which is well supported by Cambodian Prime Minister to avoid fake news and misinformation.

The ministry has also strengthened the partnership between government institutions and the journalists, and encouraged official information sources at those institutions for easier and more timely access.

H.E. Meas Sophorn emphasised that although there were some disciplinary actions against journalists who had violated the laws and their ethical standard, journalists in Cambodia are carrying out their work with full freedom and without threats or discriminations.

He also encouraged all journalists to maintain their ethics and respect Cambodia’s laws, and continue supplying timely and accurate news to the public as well as bringing back concerns from the public to the attention of the government.

According to the ministry’s record, Cambodia by 2020 licensed 669 online news agencies – an increase of 107 compared to 2019 – let alone many registered broadcasting media outlets.   

Article in Khmer by Phen Rattanak
Article in English by Lim Nary