AKP Siem Reap, July 23, 2025 --

Cambodia has reaffirmed its commitment to working with governments, media practitioners, and all relevant stakeholders to combat the spread of fake news, said H.E. Neth Pheaktra, Minister of Information, during the conclusion of the 20th Asia Media Summit in Siem Reap provincial city this afternoon.
On this occasion, H.E. Minister also declared the launch of the Angkor Initiative 2.0.
“This Declaration reflects our national priorities and collective aspirations to reaffirm Cambodia’s role as a proactive and responsible partner in advancing trustworthy media practices and combating the spread of fake news.” he stated. 

In view of these challenges, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to uphold media integrity, responsible innovation, editorial independence, and evidence-based public discourse, he added.

H.E. Neth Pheaktra emphasised that the Angkor Declaration Against Fake News 2.0 is not just a renewal — it is a reinvention. 

“It defines a bold new chapter in our shared regional journey toward truth, trust, and digital resilience. The Angkor Declaration Against Fake News 2.0 builds upon the foundation laid by the original Angkor Declaration adopted during the 16th Asia Media Summit in 2019. That landmark declaration marked the first regional consensus in Asia to combat the spread of disinformation and fake news, emphasising the need for international cooperation, capacity-building, and responsible digital citizenship” he said.

“Cambodia does not only commit in words—we act. As the host nation of both the 16th and 20th Asia Media Summits, we take pride in offering continuity, vision, and action. The Angkor platform is not just symbolic; it is a working mechanism for regional media resilience. Cambodia has chosen not to follow, but to lead — to move from victim of disinformation to vanguard of regional truth-building,” H.E. Minister added.

This legacy of leadership has been firmly laid by Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, former Prime Minister and current President of the Senate, who made the fight against fake news a matter of national importance and regional engagement. Today, under the dynamic and visionary leadership of Samdech Moha Borvor Thipadei Hun Manet, Cambodia is building on that legacy, championing information integrity through innovation, legal reform, and strategic partnerships. 

According to H.E. Neth Pheaktra, information diplomacy is a strategic initiative of the Ministry of Information, designed to strengthen regional and international cooperation in the fight against fake news and disinformation. In an era where narratives shape geopolitics, information diplomacy has become a critical soft-power strategy. Through this, the Ministry of Information positions Cambodia not only as a guardian of national credibility but as a regional convener of dialogue and cooperation.

By Heng Pahna