VR/AR Technologies Poised to Accelerate Cambodian Media Evolution

Beijing, China – September 25, 2026 – At the international training session on enhancing new media capabilities, held on September 25, 2026, Professor CHEN Qiang from the Communication University of China delivered an in-depth presentation on the application of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in modern media communications to participants from ASEAN countries. The training was themed 'New Media to Drive High-Quality Industrial Development for ASEAN Countries.' Professor Chen emphasized that the current media landscape is no longer limited to traditional information dissemination. Instead, it must leverage the advancements in modern technology to attract audience interest and participation. The integration of VR and AR technologies enables news organizations to be agile in the digital era and respond to the potential demands of new-generation viewers. VR (Virtual Reality) was explained as a technology that transforms the environment, immersing users entirely in a digital world and disconnecting them from their immediate physical surroundings. This technology allows audiences to 'step into' specific locations or events, such as using VR headsets to view an area in 360 degrees, providing an experience akin to being in the real world. AR (Augmented Reality) was described as a technology that superimposes digital objects or graphics onto the real world. Users continue to see their normal surroundings but with superimposed elements like photos, 3D objects, or floating data. This contributes to making information displays or studio presentations more vivid and easier to understand, for instance, by showing floating statistical graphics during news readings or through social media applications. Professor Chen underscored, 'The digital media revolution, through timely adaptability and the use of modern technologies like VR and AR, coupled with adherence to professional ethics, credibility, and public trust, is the most crucial foundation for news organizations to sustain their presence and core values in the modern world.' This training provided a significant opportunity for media professionals from ASEAN nations, including Cambodia, to adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape and enhance their reporting capabilities. The adoption of these immersive technologies holds the potential to elevate the quality of information dissemination and expand reach to a broader audience within Cambodia's media sector.