Cambodia Intensifies Education Against Fake News Among Youth

The Ministry of Information of Cambodia is intensifying its educational outreach to young people as part of the second phase of its campaign against fake news. Ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith described the initiative as a "special classroom" designed to cultivate critical thinking skills and equip students with the ability to effectively counter misinformation. The campaign was held at Banteay Ampil High School in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, on the morning of August 7, 2026. Approximately 500 students, teachers, and relevant officials participated. Mr. Asnarith emphasized that this initiative provides crucial knowledge to prevent the spread of false or fake news encountered daily on social media, especially in this era of abundant technology. He also highlighted the importance of using smartphones and social media correctly to support academic learning. Furthermore, Mr. Asnarith urged youth and the general public to act as information security agents for the nation, their families, and themselves by adhering to the principle of "3 Don'ts, 1 Protect." The "3 Don'ts" are: 1) Do not believe information immediately upon receiving it from social media; instead, verify the source. 2) Do not share information hastily; always cross-check with official sources first. 3) Do not be careless in providing personal information to suspicious accounts or sources. The "1 Protect" principle is to continuously enhance knowledge about the use of information and media, always relying on official sources. Oddar Meanchey is the 14th province to host the second phase of the anti-fake news campaign. Since its official launch on May 18, 2026, the relevant working group has organized events in 40 high schools and secondary schools. The Ministry of Information plans to expand this campaign to cover all provinces and the capital throughout 2026. Source: AKP Khmer