Cambodia Boosts Digital Literacy to Combat Fake News

The Cambodian Ministry of Information has identified the enhancement of digital literacy and safe digital technology usage among its citizens, particularly the youth, as a paramount strategy in combating the spread of fake news. Tep Asnarith, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, emphasized that strengthening knowledge and education to counter fake news is crucial in the fight against misinformation. During the "Say No to Fake News" campaign's second phase launch at Preah Sihanouk High School in Kampong Cham province on the morning of July 3, 2026, attended by over 1,000 students, Tep Asnarith stated that in this era of rapid technological evolution, while accessing information through social media is convenient, it also poses significant risks if users are not cautious. He clearly likened the task of strengthening knowledge and educating young people to combat fake news to "vaccination" to protect them and the entire nation from the "virus" of false information. Tep Asnarith stressed that this second phase campaign aims to raise public awareness about the dangers of fake news and methods to protect oneself from deception in the digital age, as well as to strengthen citizens' capacity to receive and use information responsibly. Furthermore, this effort reflects the unwavering commitment of the government and the Ministry of Information to bolster information security and build digital resilience for every citizen, especially safeguarding Cambodian youth from the perils of fake news. The second phase of the campaign not only provides fundamental knowledge to counter polluting, exaggerated, and distorted information but also inspires the younger generation to become active "digital security agents" who disseminate truthful, well-sourced information and contribute to building a safe and trustworthy information environment for the entire nation. Ms. Srey Sophak, Deputy Governor of Kampong Cham Province, also urged students to participate in preventing and refraining from sharing information without clear sources. She advised them to verify information with official sources first if they encounter any unverified information being spread on social media. Students from Preah Sihanouk High School expressed their joy and deep gratitude to the Ministry, the Provincial Department of Information, and the provincial authorities for collaborating to organize this significant campaign. They acknowledged the opportunity it provided to gain knowledge on responsible social media usage and to better understand methods for preventing and combating fake news in the digital era. It is noted that the second phase of the campaign, which began in Phnom Penh and is extending to provinces such as Preah Vihear, Takeo, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Pursat, Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, and Kampong Cham, is vigorously advancing towards its strategic goal of promoting digital literacy and increasing the immunity of the youth against fake news. The active participation observed in high schools clearly reflects the collective commitment to the efforts led by the Ministry of Information in cooperation with local authorities and educational institutions, aiming to build a robust "information security shield" within Cambodian society. Information Source: AKP Khmer