PM calls for media ethics, integrity
PRIME Minister Hun Sen has called on leaders of news media institutions and journalists to maintain professionalism in accordance with the press law and the principles of “not violating the rights of others or distorting the truth.” He praised reporters and media outlets for striving to fulfil their duties consistently despite the unique challenges facing the nation and the world alike this year.
“In a dangerous situation in which Cambodia and the entire world suffer from Covid-19, some opposition politicians and opportunists have used news media and various social media to spread fake news distorting the truth, inflaming the situation and polluting the social environment. In doing so, they aim to cause chaos and protests in society and put blame on the legitimate government,” he said.
Hun Sen enlisted the support of all media institutions to cooperate in combating the spread of misinformation, to intercept and neutralise efforts to manipulate media narratives by those who would deceive the public and tarnish the reputations and integrity of the industry.
The remarks came in a letter to the 17th Editors Forum of the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) held on December 19 examining
the “Media’s Role in the Context of Global Pandemic Crisis and Fake News”. The annual forum seeks to enhance the awareness and capacities of reporters to conduct their work ethically, professionally and responsibly in order to promote the effectiveness and prestige of press institutions and uphold the freedoms of the press guaranteed by the constitution and the press law.
The CCJ released a joint statement on December 19 reflecting on the Covid-19 crisis, calling it an impor
tant episode for the global media industry. Journalists must learn from the experience and be prepared when the next such crisis occurs.
They emphasised that, regardless of how difficult a situation may be, reporters must consistently adhere to professional ethics because they are beholden to the public’s trust.
Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith said at the forum that systems of information distribution play a crucial role in enabling society to function. He praised media outlets for performing the responsibilities of disseminating news clearly and accurately and addressing problems with courage.
“Reporters need to find facts and accurate sources, and authorities need to respond to these findings quickly as situations demand,” he said.
Kanharith suggested that a media correspondents’ meeting with the prime minister earlier next year might be cancelled on account of the ongoing pandemic. The Ministry of Information, however, will continue to accept requests by reporters and forward them to the prime minister for review and approval, he said.
He noted that the ministry is also taking into account the labour law, which would authorise owners of media institutions to register reporters for social protection cards under the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) to safeguard their wellbeing.
“Last year, the prime minister decided to procure volunteer lawyers to defend reporters who fulfilled their duties correctly and professionally. This year, the request has been made to allow reporters to be members of the NSSF. If this is implemented, reporters who have social protection cards will be given access to healthcare free of charge,” Kanharith said.