AKP Phnom Penh, September 25, 2025 -- Ninety (90) officials from the Information Departments of six southwestern provinces—Preah Sihanouk, Kep, Koh Kong, Kampot, Takeo, and Kampong Speu—are attending a two-day training course on media and public relations.

The course was opened on Sept. 25 in Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk province, under the presidency of H.E. Chhay Sophal, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Information, together with Mr. Long Dimanche, Deputy Governor of Preah Sihanouk.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Chhay Sophal underlined that media and public relations are among the key priorities of both the Royal Government and the Ministry of Information. He noted that the Ministry is striving to transform itself into the government’s leading public communication institution—proactive, interactive, efficient, and effective—guided by the vision of “new, true, fast, and comprehensive.”

He urged information officers to stay abreast of technological advances and to work closely with other departments to ensure accurate and timely dissemination of information to the public, while also serving as a bridge between citizens and local authorities.

For his part, Mr. Long Dimanche highlighted the importance of strengthening officials’ capacities in managing information networks, producing digital content—especially for social media—and responding swiftly to fake news.

The training programme, held from Sept. 25 to 26, covers public relations techniques, information management in the digital era, social media content production, monitoring and analysing misinformation, ministry work procedures, performance evaluation, and the application of artificial intelligence in the information sector.

By Heng Panha