PHNOM PENH: Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra announced that Prime Minister Hun Manet’s first official meeting with journalists will be held in May of next year, coinciding with World Press Freedom Day.

Minister Neth Pheaktra emphasized that the decision to select May 3, 2024 for the meeting between journalists and the head of the Royal Government was made by the Prime Minister in cooperation with the Royal Government.

He said that the Ministry of Information will organize the meeting by gathering all the issues and concerns raised by radio and television journalists in a joint framework to submit to the Prime Minister for review and resolution.

He said that the Ministry will be updating the list of journalists with a valid license that are allowed to participate in the meeting, adding that unlicensed journalists must register with the Ministry of Information.

Former Prime Minister Hun Sen met with journalists every year on January 14 to provide an opportunity for journalists to discuss issues, proposals and concerns to the head of the Royal Government for him to review and help solve. The meeting was also touted as a demonstration of freedom of the press and expression in Cambodia.

From 2017 to 2023, the press conference with the former Prime Minister was held five times, but was missed in 2021 and 2022 due to the spread of Covid-19.