US Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy speaks at the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day at the War Correspondents Memorial on May 3. US EMBASSY
Prime Minister Hun Sen said Cambodia remains committed to upholding the right to freedom of expression and supporting a free press, as embassies, civil society organisations and relevant institutions mark World Press Freedom Day, held on May 3 to commemorate the heroism of journalists around the world.
The day is observed globally this year under the theme: “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
In a message released to celebrate the occasion, Hun Sen said the government is committed to protecting the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the press, in accordance with the Kingdom’s Constitution and relevant laws.
He lauded the progress of media environment in Cambodia, noting that modern media outlets allow people to receive a wide range of up-to-date information, regardless of where in the world they are.
“With the growth of the media and the great many information units and journalists working in Cambodia today, we also need to consider journalists’ responsibilities,” he said.
Hun Sen described the media as a double-edged sword, noting that journalists had played an important role in helping the country to grow, and maintaining the peace and political stability that guaranteed its prosperity.
“On the other hand, the media can also cause social unrest through the spreading of misinformation or fake news. This can incite violence and pollute society. Therefore, we all need to work together,” he said.
“All of us, especially media outlets and journalists, must do our part to combat false information and fake news, or incitement by a handful of opportunists who use the guise of the press to serve their own interests. This harms the interests of the nation and the dignity of journalists and all media outlets,” he added.
French ambassador Jacques Pellet, US ambassador W Patrick Murphy, Japanese ambassador Atsushi Ueno, journalists, and guests from 13 civil society organisations gathered at the War Correspondents Memorial to observe the occasion.
Murphy said the gathering aimed to honour the 37 journalists and correspondents from 11 countries – including Japan, France, the US and Cambodia – who were killed or went missing during Cambodia’s period of conflict.
“As we honour courageous journalists here and around the world, we express support for press freedom and stand with the Cambodian media professionals who seek to exercise their fundamental rights,” he added.
Pellet described press freedom as a fundamental pillar of any democratic society.
“It allows holding governments accountable for their actions and ensures that citizens are informed in a fair and impartial manner,” he said.
“We would like to show our sincere solidarity with all journalists who are fighting for their freedom and we will continue to work for freedom of the press to be guaranteed unconditionally by all governments around the world, including Cambodia,” he added.
Reporters Without Borders announced that in 2022, at least 55 journalists were killed around the world, six of them in Ukraine.
Hang Samphors, team leader of the Cambodian Female Journalists (CFJ), is hopeful that closer attention will be paid to ending crimes against journalists, in order to strengthen their partnership with the government.
“I wish to see the Cambodian media enjoy full rights, with no oppression or threats. We could very easily uphold freedom of speech and freedom of the press,” she said.
