PHNOM PENH, July 24, 2024 — During a consultative workshop on the draft "Journalism Professional Charter," Minister of Information Net Pheaktra emphasized the vital distinctions between the roles of journalists and those of judicial authorities. Speaking at the Ministry of Information, he clarified that journalists are not judicial police officers or judges, and they should not assume the power to direct actions or decisions.
Instead, the Minister underscored that journalists act as conduits of information, transferring knowledge from one source to another with clarity and responsibility. He stressed the importance of adhering to the Constitution, national and international laws, and regulations, ensuring that journalism is practiced with integrity and respect for legal boundaries.
The workshop aimed to refine the draft of the Cambodian Professional Journalism Charter, fostering an environment conducive to the practice of ethical journalism. The Ministry of Information is seeking to bolster press freedom, freedom of expression, and journalist protection through this initiative.
Pheaktra outlined several key objectives of the Journalism Charter, including promoting ethical standards within the fields of journalism and audio-visual media to safeguard press security in Cambodia. The Charter is designed to elevate public awareness about the proper implementation of journalism principles, encouraging adaptation to technological advancements and artificial intelligence to enhance media quality and security.
Furthermore, the Charter seeks to enhance the dissemination of accurate, comprehensive, and well-sourced information, actively participating in the fight against misinformation to maintain public trust and confidence in the media. This effort is seen as crucial for reinforcing the role of the media as a pillar of democratic society and the rule of law, contributing to the ongoing protection and development of peace and sustainability in Cambodia.
The Minister also called for journalists to engage in promoting professional values to secure societal trust, underlining that maintaining the profession's integrity is fundamental to their work.
