Cambodia Calls for Strengthened Regional Cooperation on Fake News

Cambodia's Minister of Information, Net Pheaktra, has called for strengthened regional cooperation to combat fake news and maintain information integrity within the Mekong-Lancang region, as misinformation and disinformation spread rapidly in the digital age and the context of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Media Forum and Zero Fake News Content Creator Awards 2026, themed "Fighting Fake News and Promoting Information Integrity in the Mekong-Lancang Region," the minister emphasized that responses to misinformation should not solely focus on post-dissemination corrections but must also build the resilience of information systems themselves. The minister outlined three key principles to address this issue: "Prevent, Verify, Cooperate." "Prevent" is to be achieved through enhancing information literacy, media literacy, and digital literacy, raising public awareness, responsible content creation, and providing accurate, timely, and reliable information. "Verify" should be carried out by strengthening journalistic professionalism, verifying information sources, fact-checking, credible public relations, and the responsible use of AI and digital technologies. "Cooperate" is to be realized through information sharing, exchange of expertise, capacity building, and timely disclosure when cross-border impacts of misinformation occur. During the forum, Cambodia, China, and Vietnam shared their experiences in combating fake news within their respective countries. Cambodia presented its "Say No to Fake News Campaign," China shared its experience in using technology to refute rumors, manage digital networks, and identify AI-generated content, while Vietnam showcased its information verification mechanisms, public reporting, and coordinated responses. Regional discussions also took place on new challenges posed by disinformation, the role of professional journalism and content creators, promoting information and digital literacy, responsible AI use, rapid response, and regional cooperation. The "Zero Fake News Media and Content Creator Awards 2026" were organized to recognize and encourage journalists, media practitioners, youth, and content creators who have contributed to disseminating accurate, ethical, responsible, and public-interest information. Minister Net Pheaktra stated that future cooperation should focus on exchanging expertise between journalists and fact-checkers, training in digital fact-checking, information and media literacy, information sharing, and consultations on establishing a Mekong-Lancang Information Integrity Network. Cambodia stressed that future cooperation should be developed based on voluntarism, practicality, mutual benefit, consultation and consensus, and respect for the laws and specific situations of each country. Source: CEN Cambodia