While meeting with senior officials, civil servants and contracted officials from the Kratie provincial information department on December 16, Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra announced that the ministry intends to issue press cards with QR codes to journalists in the country.

The ministry took to social media to share that Pheaktra instructed the information department to ensure that all journalists are legally registered. They should ensure that all individuals working in the media hold licensed press cards and have a detailed grasp of the actual situation on the ground.

“For the next step, we will issue press cards equipped with a QR code which is unique to each journalist,” it said.

Huy Vannak, president of the Union of Journalist Federations of Cambodia (UJFC), said on December 17 that journalists must be free to conduct their work. He was unsure whether the addition of QR codes to press cards was intended to manage and monitor journalists, or if it would help the sector to develop.

“We all understand that journalists must maintain professionalism, both in terms of their management and development. They must adhere to clear principles. I am not yet aware of what precise measures the QR codes will enable, so let’s wait and see,” he added.

Ministry spokesman Phos Sovann said the new cards would be issued next year. Each journalist’s details will be entered into an updated system from December 15-20.

“Press cards with QR codes will make it easier for local authorities to conduct inspections and verify the identity of journalists. The codes will also provide protection to people working in the Kingdom’s media environment,” he added.