Kampong Thom: Minister of Information H.E. Neth Pheaktra today urged information officials in Kampong Thom province to enhance their communication skills and actively combat misinformation, emphasising their crucial role in keeping the public informed.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, during a meeting with leaders and officials of Kampong Thom Provincial Information Department, H.E. Pheaktra stressed the importance of delivering accurate, comprehensive, and timely information on the Royal Government policies and achievements. He called on the Information Department to act as the provincial administration's primary communication arm, ensuring the Royal Government's message reaches all communities.
The Minister highlighted the need for consistent outreach through both traditional and digital media to meet the information needs of local populations and to promote Kampong Thom's potential for development. In an era of rapid digital information spread, particularly via social media, he underscored the critical need for officers to monitor and swiftly counter false or misleading content. He warned that unchecked misinformation could destabilise public security, both locally and nationally. He also emphasised expanding grassroots outreach to provide clear, verified, and well-rounded information, calling it essential for informed decision-making, daily well-being, and local development, as well as for combating fake news.
H.E. Neth Pheaktra commended the Kampong Thom Information Department for its significant achievements in 2024, including effective local media relations, enforcement of journalistic ethics, and active news production and dissemination. He lauded their efforts in bringing order to the media sector and raising professional standards. He also praised initiatives like local radio broadcasting, which has successfully delivered accurate information from the Royal Government and experts, particularly concerning Cambodia's development progress under conditions of peace and political stability.
Addressing recent Cambodia-Thailand border tensions, H.E. Minister noted that both state-run and private media outlets had collaborated to provide accurate, fact-based reporting. He highlighted their reliance on official royal government sources, including statements from the official Facebook pages of Senate President and Prime Minister, and the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and National Defence, which affirmed the Royal Government's firm stance on safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In closing, he encouraged provincial information officials to continuously upgrade their knowledge and skills, embrace new technologies, and maintain a proactive, responsive, and engaged approach in their duties. He reiterated the Information Department's vital role as a strategic communication arm for the provincial administration, ensuring efficient public information dissemination and management.