Cambodia Hosts Regional Zero Fake News Forum to Combat Disinformation

Cambodia's Ministry of Information will host the "Zero Fake News Media Forum and Awards 2026" in Phnom Penh on September 17, bringing together nearly 300 delegates to strengthen regional efforts against disinformation. The full-day event, held under the theme "Combating Fake News and Promoting Information Integrity in the Mekong-Lancang Region," will be chaired by Information Minister H.E. Neth Pheaktra and attended by officials from key ministries and institutions, according to a ministry press release. The forum is part of a Mekong-Lancang Special Fund initiative aimed at bolstering joint counter-disinformation efforts following a professional journalism training programme. Attendees will include spokespersons from national and local governments, journalists, content creators, fact-checking experts, civil society members, and delegates from the five Mekong-Lancang partner nations: Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Participants will address the growing threats of AI-generated fake news, crisis-time communication, and cross-border disinformation flows, while promoting media literacy and best practices in fact-checking under the banners "Verify Before You Share" and "Together for Information Integrity." The ministry will also host the "Zero Fake News Media and Content Creator Awards" ceremony during the event to honour five creators recognised for ethically produced, socially impactful content. Officials expressed hope the initiative will enhance media network cooperation, build public trust in reliable information sources, and strengthen regional resilience against false information across the Mekong-Lancang region. By Heng Panha Source: AKP Cambodia