The Ministry of Information, in response to a number of civil society organisations, said it has been working to accelerate the drafting of the Freedom of Information Act. The ministry said it is optimistic that the law will be promulgated in 2023.
A senior official at the Ministry of Information said that adherence to professional ethics in the practice of journalism is necessary and shows the pride, dignity and honour of all those who do so.
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Dith Tina renewed his calls for local online English language media outlet VOD to take down their four articles published in November with contents that he said accuse the ministry of using threats against people who criticize the ministry’s measures on low paddy rice pricing.
The Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) has appointed Puy Kea as its new president, replacing Pen Bona who has resigned to take up a government post as secretary of state with the Ministry of Information. Khieu Kola, a member of the CCJ board, now succeeds Kea as CCJ secretary-general.
The Ministry of Information has disputed a joint statement on impunity for crimes against journalists issued by the Coalition of Cambodian Journalists (CamboJA), Cambodian Centre for Independent Media (CCIM) and 32 other civil society organisations (CSOs).