Journalists Are a Force for Peace and Prosperity: PM
Photo: CCJ
- By Ung Chamroeun
- December 21, 2023 8:30 PM
PHNOM PENH – Prime Minister Hun Manet has called all journalists to be a continuous mirror of reality and social issues for the public. This was among messages the PM sent to the 20th Editor’s Forum which was organized by the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ).
Held on the theme “Media Professionalism and Ethics” on Dec. 21, the forum gathered leaders and editors from media outlets to exchange ideas, address past challenges as well as set future implementation strategies.
Hun Manet said he saw the media and journalists as the driving force in contributing to maintaining peace and building a prosperous country to reach “Cambodia’s Vision for 2050”.
He also extended his admiration to all media outlets and journalists who took part in covering past major historical events.
He said the media is an indispensable partner for the government. The governments are always committed to promoting freedom of expression, freedom of the media, promoting journalism training and modern media technology.
“However, there is still room for improvements on some journalists’ ethics, especially online journalists. They are obliged to perform professionally and ethically as well as strengthen their skills to gain public trust. Thus, this forum is extremely significant for the journalists,” Hun Manet said.
“The government will continuously follow the exemption of patent tax from the former Prime Minister on all small online journalists. This will be the government’s responsibility for a period of five years starting from 2023 till 2028.
“Due to the spillover effects of COVID-19 and global economic crisis, the license fee at the Ministry of Information will be reduced by 50% for the establishment of a new media unit,” Hun Manet said.
To mitigate the challenges related to violating professional ethics, spreading misinformation and distorting the truth, Hun Manet calls all journalists to take part in peace maintenance and eliminating opportunists.
Media and journalists are required to take part in covering the factual information on the real situation in Cambodia, disseminating government policies to the public, educating the public on solutions to road accidents, drug use, human trafficking and safe village-commune policies.
Hun Manet said he was looking forward to seeing the continuation of this forum in combat fake news and adhering to professional ethics and strengthening the training of journalists in both technical and professional skills to improve the quality of information, order of media and prestige of news outlets.
Puy Kea, Cambodian veteran journalist and CCJ president, said combating fake news has also been mentioned by global major news outlets. Due to the development of digital media and spread of misinformation by the locals who proclaim themselves as journalists, we have seen fake news almost everywhere.
“Fake news can lead to social disorder and affects the country as a whole. Journalists play such a crucial role in combating fake news. They are compulsory to perform professionally and ethically,” Puy Kea said.
Puy Kea also encouraged all the online news outlets to double-check their articles before publishing.
Rin Ousa contributed to the story.
