Cambodia and Mekong-Lancang Countries Unite Against Fake News

Cambodia and member countries of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation have jointly expressed their commitment to fighting fake news and promoting information integrity. This commitment was showcased through the «Zero Fake News Media Forum and Awards 2026,» organized by the Ministry of Information of Cambodia and held in Phnom Penh on September 17, 2026, under the theme «Combating Fake News and Promoting Information Integrity in the Mekong-Lancang Region.» The forum, presided over by H.E. Net Pheaktra, Minister of Information, saw the participation of representatives from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, ASEAN member countries accredited to Cambodia, spokespersons from ministries and institutions, provincial authorities, journalists, content creators, fact-checking experts, civil society representatives, as well as approximately 300 national and international speakers and distinguished guests. Participants from Mekong-Lancang Cooperation member states, including Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand, shared experiences and discussed common strategies to curb the spread of misinformation, particularly fake news that can cross borders via digital networks. Participants focused on raising public awareness about the risks and impacts of fake news, sharing best practices in fact-checking, and promoting media and digital literacy. The challenges arising from the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in creating content and fake news were also a significant topic of discussion, emphasizing the need to strengthen the capacity of journalists, content creators, and the public to identify and verify information before accepting or sharing it. Under the slogans «Verify Before You Share» and «Together for Information Integrity,» the forum also promoted the participation of media users in creating a responsible and trustworthy information environment. In parallel with the discussion forum, the «Zero Fake News Media and Content Creator Awards» were presented to five recipients who contributed creative, ethically professional, and positively impactful content to society. Through the organization of this forum, Cambodia and the Mekong-Lancang countries have increased opportunities for experience exchange and strengthened cooperation in the information sector to respond to the issue of false information that can spread rapidly in the digital environment. The «Zero Fake News 2026» forum also reaffirmed the importance of the participation of journalists, content creators, experts, and the public in promoting information integrity and strengthening the resilience of societies against fake news in the Mekong-Lancang region.