Cambodia Grapples with Deluge of Fake News Targeting National Stability
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – The Cambodian government is sounding the alarm over the proliferation of fake news, with Information Minister Neth Pheaktra revealing that an estimated ten false stories aimed at destabilizing the nation are produced daily. These fabricated reports, often originating from outside the country, exploit social media platforms to incite unrest and sow discord, particularly on sensitive issues like border disputes and ethnic relations. Speaking at the second Media Development Conference on December 19, Pheaktra emphasized the urgent need to counter this misinformation campaign, which he described as a deliberate attempt to undermine peace and security.
The minister highlighted the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) as a recent target of disinformation, with baseless allegations circulating online, causing public concern. He also pointed to a surge of fake news related to Koh Kut island, with over 20 fabricated stories appearing on social media in a single morning. These incidents, according to Pheaktra, underscore the calculated use of misinformation to instigate instability and potentially trigger "color revolutions." Statistics presented by the ministry’s Fake News Monitoring Committee paint a stark picture of the scale of the problem, revealing 651 cases of fabricated news between October and November, and 985 cases in the preceding quarter, representing an 11% increase.
The government’s efforts to combat fake news are complicated by the delicate balance between preserving freedom of expression and upholding the rule of law. Pheaktra stressed the importance of responsible journalism and warned against the misuse of press freedom to spread disinformation and incite conflict. He emphasized that while Cambodia upholds democratic values, these freedoms must be exercised within legal boundaries to safeguard public order and national security. The minister drew attention to Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which outlines permissible restrictions on freedom of expression to protect public order and prevent incitement to violence.
The discussion surrounding the control of misinformation extended to the role of social media platforms. Ministry undersecretary of state Prak Thav Amida clarified that the government’s focus is on tackling the spread of false information, not penalizing individuals for their online activity unless it involves disseminating demonstrably false content. Toby Mendel, director of the Centre for Law and Democracy, contributed to the debate by suggesting that countries should adopt context-specific regulations for platforms like Facebook and TikTok. He acknowledged, however, that legislation alone cannot fully eradicate online falsehoods, advocating for comprehensive solutions involving collaboration among relevant institutions.
Pheaktra defended Cambodia’s press freedom record, citing a ministry-conducted survey in which nearly 80% of journalists reported perceiving an improvement in the media landscape. He urged international observers to consider the broader context and not focus solely on individual cases, emphasizing that enforcing laws against journalistic malpractice, such as extortion, should not be equated with suppressing freedom of expression. He maintained that Cambodia performs favorably compared to its regional counterparts in upholding press freedom.
Looking ahead, the Cambodian government is preparing to launch a national campaign against fake news. Thav Amida also revealed that the Information Minister has extended an invitation to Asia-Pacific nations to join this initiative, signaling a regional approach to tackling the shared challenge of online disinformation. While details of the campaign remain undisclosed, this move suggests Cambodia’s commitment to addressing the issue collaboratively on a broader scale.