Phnom Penh: Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra has warned that fake news poses a serious threat to society, urging all stakeholders to join hands to fight against its spread. ‘Fake news poses serious risks to society, creates conflicts, discrimination, and social division. The production or distribution of fake news can be harmful to oneself, family, and society as a whole,’ he underlined.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, fake news may cause factionalism, fear, social and political unrest, and undermine peace, which ultimately hinders national development and affects diplomatic relations, he added. At the same time, H.E. Minister called on all stakeholders to join the ‘Say No to Fake News!’ campaign, which was officially launched this morning with the goal of making Cambodia free from fake news.
Mr. Leang Delux, Executive Director of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, said that fake news is not a new issue, but it has become a major threat to both the Royal Government and citizens in this digital age. In 2023, the Ministry of Information’s Anti-Fake News Commission recorded 3,208 cases of fake news, while in 2024 the number rose by 14 percent to 3,651 cases. This figure does not account for all fake news fabricated and spread so rapidly across the country, he stressed.
As a media practitioner, Mr. Leang Delux acknowledged that eliminating fake news entirely may not be possible, but we can together prevent and neutralise its impact through collective efforts from all stakeholders. ‘In this regard, the media in general and professional journalists in particular play a crucial role in the fight against fake news. The press remains a reliable and trustworthy source of information for the public,’ he said.
A swift response from competent authorities or government officials – whether through their official channels or the press – is one of the most effective ways to counter fake news, he added. Moreover, Mr. Leang Delux emphasised the importance of promoting media literacy among the public to help them critically assess the information they receive and share.