PHNOM PENH: Prime Minister Hun Sen has shown support to Secretary of State Sar Sokha's post on the "Culture of Helping One Another" after a heated debate took place on social media over an argument between an online journalist and a man who came to help pick up a motorcycle that was involved in a traffic accident on the Chroy Changvar bridge.

Secretary of State for the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Sar Sokha, made a post on his social media page on Tuesday, 24 January 2023, commenting on an incident that has been hotly debated online, regarding a livestream by an online journalist covering a traffic accident that had occurred on Chroy Changvar bridge. During the livestream, a citizen who saw a fallen motorcycle on the road came to help pick it up, however, the journalist filming live told the citizen off for tampering with the scene of the accident, which should not be interfered with so police can determine the cause and fault behind the accident.

The Secretary of State noted that he had seen more comments against the journalist’s actions, than in support, and further remarked on the journalist’s reaction to the citizen on the livestream, saying that professional journalists should remember their code of ethics when covering hot news and should act civil and not fight with anyone.

Secretary of State Sar Sokha stated that journalists should be promoting a culture of helping each other, and the citizen seen in the livestream appeared to have wanted to sincerely help and did not realize his mistake.

“As I watched the video, I saw [the citizen] raise his hand to sincerely apologize 4-10 times. What’s happened has happened, how can we [turn back time]. Of course, I do not judge, but watching the video it seems the side of the [journalist] shooting live is [acting] shrewd and tense, while the person who lifted the motorcycle up was only trying to explain his righteous intentions with appropriate words and body language,” wrote Secretary of State Sar Sokha.

Prime Minister Hun Sen also expressed his support for Sar Sokha's post, adding the comment, “I support the interpretation and explanation from Sar Sokha. Help each other first to avoid bigger problems. I thank and appreciate someone for helping, which is a good example of the culture of our nation."

Previously, during the 5th annual meeting with journalists on 14 January 2023, Prime Minister Hun Sen urged journalists in Cambodia to publish true information and not fabricate fake news about others.

"Journalists, do not abuse others, do not distort the truth," he said.