Phnom Penh: Minister of Information, Khieu Kanharith, has emphasised the importance of access to information on the occasion of the 2021 International Day for Universal Access to Information.

He says, “For Cambodia, especially the Royal Government, the right to Universal Access to Information is an indispensable right in a democratic society. Having access to accurate and reliable information enables greater participation, allows citizens to make informed choices like when they cast their vote in elections and makes it possible to monitor and verify the government’s policies.”

He also referenced Cambodia’s draft law on access to information, stressing that the drafting process has been completed and the ministry is currently waiting for the final endorsement from the Ministry of Justice before submitting it to the National Assembly, saying “After the law is enforced in Cambodia, I hope that Cambodian citizens will receive accurate and reliable information to make better-informed decisions”.

At the same time, the Union of Journalists’ Federation of Cambodia has urged all journalists to exercise their right to information for the cause of the nation, not to serve any “foreign political ideology”.

In its statement to mark the International Day of Access to Information, the Union of Journalists of Cambodia says the value of the press is not only based on the word “independence”, but also on factual information.

The Union says in the current context, some foreign governments are trying to spread false information to undermine national and international unity. The Union is encouraging journalists, as well as members of the public, to continue to exercise their right to information to promote nationalism and national peace.

In a statement, the Union says, “This is a dangerous information battle in the context of geopolitical warfare and information technology that we must constantly be vigilant of and protect our national interests.”

The International Day of Access to Information is celebrated on 28 September every year to promote access to information worldwide.