Cambodian Minister: Spread Of Misinformation can Hurt Democracy 

PHNOM PENH, July 22 (Bernama) -- Cambodia has cautioned the global media fraternity that the spread of fake news poses risks to national security and the economy, and is calling for collective action to curb social media-driven misinformation.

Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said the digital revolution has created democratic content, widened the boundaries of the press and expanded the unheard voice. 

“But it also reflected misinformation, hate speech, handling bias and the dangerous spread of fake news.

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“If we leave it without consideration, it would threaten to destroy the foundations of journalism and democracy,” Pheaktra said in his opening speech of the Asia Media Summit 2025 today, reported Agence Kampuchea Presse, the state media.

The media summit, organised by the Asia Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, is being held in Siem Reap from July 21 to 24.

“This event is not just celebrating the passing of years, but a legacy built by committed journalists, broadcasters, regulators, policymakers, and innovators across Asia and the Pacific.

“(They) have worked hand in hand to shape a media environment that is resilient, ethical, independent and responsive to the people it serves,” said the minister, according to the state media.

Based on government data, Cambodia recorded about 2,630 fake news cases in the first half of this year.  

Last year, 3,621 cases affecting sensitive areas like national security, public order, peace and the economy were reported. 

The ongoing summit could see the emergence of the Angkor Declaration 2.0 — a joint international effort to overcome false information that is rampantly peddled by social media platforms. 

--  BERNAMA