Information minister Neth Pheaktra addresses the second Media Development Conference on December 19, 2024. - Photo: Information ministry
PHNOM PENH: At least ten fake news stories aimed at undermining peace, inciting unrest and provoking ethnic hatred are produced daily in Cambodia, particularly on border-related issues, according to Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra.
Speaking at the second Media Development Conference on Thursday (Dec 19), the minister highlighted the threat such misinformation poses to national stability. He noted that much of it originates outside the country and spreads via social media to provoke public unrest.
“When discussing democracy, human rights and freedom of expression, we must also consider the rule of law to safeguard [these principles] while preventing it from devolving into anarchy. It is imperative to counter the misuse of press freedom to create fake news, distort facts, provoke discrimination and undermine public security and order,” Pheaktra stated.
Citing recent incidents, he pointed to the dissemination of fabricated and distorted information on social media platforms, including claims related to the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA), which caused public concern over baseless allegations.
“This level of activity signifies the deliberate use of fake news to destabilise governments through so-called ‘colour revolutions,’” Pheaktra said.
He revealed that more than 20 fake news stories related to Koh Kut were generated by certain groups on the morning of December 19 alone to provoke public alarm.
Between October and November, the ministry’s Fake News Monitoring Committee recorded 651 cases of fabricated news. In the third quarter of the year, 985 cases were registered, an 11 per cent increase compared to the second quarter, according to a December 19 report by Agence Kampuchea Presse (AKP).
During a panel discussion at the conference, lawyer Sek Sophorn emphasised that press freedom and freedom of expression have limitations, as outlined in Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). He said these restrictions address public order, social harmony and public well-being.
“The UN interprets public order not as a small demonstration affecting it but as an impact on the state’s ability to continue as a sustainable state,” he explained.
Ministry undersecretary of state Prak Thav Amida emphasised that the government and the ministry have no intention of penalising individuals through social media unless they disseminate false information.
Toby Mendel, director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, commented that platforms such as Facebook and TikTok should be regulated based on each country’s specific context. However, he acknowledged that no law could completely prevent people from “lying.”
Mendel explained that despite penalties or fines, individuals will continue to lie online and elsewhere and suggested systematic solutions involving relevant institutions to address the issue effectively.
Pheaktra referred to a public opinion survey conducted by the ministry earlier this year, which involved 341 journalists nationwide. The survey revealed that 79.8 per cent of respondents believed press freedom in the country had improved.
In light of these findings, the minister urged critics to “see the whole forest, not just one tree” when evaluating Cambodia’s press freedom.
He stressed that enforcing laws against journalists engaged in extortion does not equate to restricting freedom of expression.
“The state of press freedom in Cambodia is not perfect, but compared to other countries in the region, we are not a poor performer; we are among the ‘good students’ within the framework of freedom of expression and press freedom,” Pheaktra stated.
Thav Amida also announced plans for a national campaign to combat fake news. He added that the minister has called on Asia-Pacific nations to join this initiative, although further details have not yet been disclosed. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
