Phnom penh: Cambodia is making significant strides in advancing press freedom and bolstering the professional capacity of its media sector, according to Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra. The minister affirmed these developments during the opening of the 20th Asia Media Summit (AMS) held at the Sokha Siem Reap Hotel in Siem Reap province this morning.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, Minister Pheaktra welcomed participants to the AMS, highlighting Cambodia as a peaceful and culturally rich host for the historic gathering. The summit, coordinated by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), is seen as a platform empowering media professionals to envision the media landscape in the digital era.
The minister emphasised that the summit is both a celebration and a moment for critical reflection and renewed commitment. Over the past two decades, the AMS has evolved into a premier platform for broadcasters, policymakers, academics, and civil society actors to address the pressing challenges facing contemporary media.
H.E. Neth Pheaktra acknowledged the dual nature of the digital revolution. While it has democratised content creation, expanded journalistic boundaries, and amplified previously unheard voices, it has also unleashed a torrent of misinformation, hate speech, biased narratives, and the dangerous proliferation of fake news.
"If left unchecked, these challenges threaten to undermine the foundations of journalism and democracy," the minister warned.
Minister Pheaktra underscored Cambodia's remarkable transformation over the past two decades, evolving from a conflict-scarred nation into one characterised by peace, progress, and modernisation. This profound shift, he noted, includes a significant revolution within Cambodia's media landscape.
"In the early 1990s, Cambodia had only a handful of radio and television stations," he remarked. "Today, the country boasts a vibrant media ecosystem, comprising dozens of television networks, independent print outlets, radio programmes, digital platforms, and a rapidly expanding landscape of citizen and private media with a strong commitment to quality."