Phnom penh: The spokesperson of the Minister of Information, H.E. Tep Asnarith, has issued a reminder to journalists about the importance of adhering to professional ethics during their news coverage. This reminder was made during the closing ceremony of a capacity-building training course on information and public opinion in Prey Veng province.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, H.E. Tep Asnarith highlighted recent instances where some journalists had overstepped their professional roles. These actions were noted to interfere with the duties of competent authorities or had the potential to impact national security and public order adversely.
H.E. Tep Asnarith emphasized the necessity for journalists to have a clear understanding of their legal rights and responsibilities. This understanding is critical to prevent the publication of false or biased reports and to ensure fair representation of all parties involved in news stories.
In his address, he stated, 'Journalists must perform their work professionally, lawfully, and ethically. They should not take over the roles of authorities but focus on delivering accurate and verified information to the public, free from personal bias.'
The spokesperson also called on journalists to act as societal role models by upholding truth and maintaining transparency of sources while respecting professional and ethical standards. He stressed the importance of strengthening digital literacy and investigative capacity to produce high-quality, evidence-based content that benefits the public and the nation.
Furthermore, the spokesperson noted the crucial role that media actors play in supporting national security, political stability, and social harmony. As of August 2025, the Ministry of Information has issued 8,723 press identification cards to journalists and officially registered 1,620 media outlets.