Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra is set to address a multitude of concerns and challenges confronting journalists during the 6th meeting between Prime Minister Hun Manet and journalists in celebration of World Press Freedom Day in Phnom Penh where 5,000 people are expected to attend today.
The inaugural Ministry of Information report on “The State of Press Freedom in Cambodia”, released yesterday, reveals that 79.8% of respondents view press freedom in Cambodia positively, expressing a sense of complete freedom to report from diverse sources and publish without constraints.
However civil society groups, media associations and journalists state that Cambodia’s press freedom remains restricted along with ongoing imprisonment of journalists. But, government officials rejected the allegation, insisting that the state of press freedom in Cambodia has improved.
Prime Minister Hun Manet rejected a baseless report of the Cambodia Daily and called on this radio station to stop fabricating stories that harm his honour and dignity. The Cambodia Daily wrote an article alleging bribery by Kun Nhim, Director General of the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE), to delay his retirement until 2028, which violated the principles of the former Prime Minister Hun Sen allowing Kun Nhim to retire in 2025.
