Cambodia Intensifies Anti-Fake News Campaign Targeting Youth

The Ministry of Information, in collaboration with the Poipet Provincial Administration, organized the second phase of the "Say No to Fake News" campaign on July 17, 2026, reaching nearly 1,000 students at Preah Molu High School and Secondary School in Bakan district. The initiative aims to enhance youth understanding and build resilience against the influx of false information. The event was held on the grounds of Preah Molu Secondary School and High School in Boeung Khnar commune, Bakan district, presided over by H.E. Tep Asnarith, Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, representing H.E. Net Phakthra, Minister of Information, and H.E. Nhoek Pheng, Deputy Governor of Poipet Province, representing H.E. Khoy Rida, Governor of the Poipet Provincial Administration. The event was also attended by a delegation from the Ministry, local authorities, teachers, and a large number of students. H.E. Tep Asnarith stated that in a world rapidly evolving towards a digital society, fake news poses a serious risk that not only affects national security, social order, and individual honor but also can mislead the perception of youth, the nation's future pillars. He emphasized that the "Say No to Fake News" campaign is not merely general education but the construction of a self-defense system by enhancing knowledge in media and information. He further urged all students, as the younger generation, to be intelligent in their use of technology. Before deciding to share any information, they should ask themselves: Where did this information come from? Is there a clear official source? What benefits or harms could it bring to society? He asserted that the ability to analyze, critically reflect, and resist temptation or distorted information is the sharpest weapon in combating false news. The Ministry of Information firmly hopes that all students will become highly responsible social media users and goodwill ambassadors, spreading truthful information to their friends, communities, and families to jointly build a digital society that is safe, dignified, and full of true knowledge. H.E. Nhoek Pheng, the Deputy Governor, along with representatives from the Provincial Department of Education, Youth, and Sports, and the students, expressed their full support for the "Say No to Fake News" campaign, Phase 2. They pledged to participate in disseminating the campaign more widely to raise public awareness about the dangers of fake news, methods of self-protection from deception in the digital age, and to strengthen citizens' capacity to receive and use information with a high sense of responsibility. H.E. Nhoek Pheng pointed out that in this digital era, fake news comes in all forms and poses high risks to society. He added that understanding true information is also part of maintaining security and public order for the province's sustainable development. It is noted that the "Say No to Fake News" campaign, Phase 2, under the theme "Strengthening Information and Media Literacy for Information Security," was officially launched on May 18, 2026, under the high presidency of H.E. Net Phakthra, Minister of Information, at Samdech Hun Sen Bun Rany High School, Phnom Penh. This campaign demonstrates the commitment of the Royal Government and the Ministry of Information to building digital resilience and protecting citizens, especially youth, from the impacts of fake news. Currently, the campaign is being implemented in educational institutions in 12 provinces and cities, including Phnom Penh, Preah Vihear, Takeo, Kampot, Sihanoukville, Siem Reap, Kampong Cham, Kampong Thom, Poipet, Kandal, Kep, Koh Kong, and Battambang. The campaign will continue to expand its dissemination activities to all provinces in the Kingdom of Cambodia in 2026. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local