THE Ministry of Information has announced plans to build an internet cafe at it offices next year, with the aim of giving journalists access to information and resources related to their work.

"Some media institutions do not have the ability to connect to the internet for their staff to do research," Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said Monday. "We will put 20 computers in the internet cafe and make available many important [government] documents for reporters."

Journalists would be required to pay the ministry a small fee to use the resources, but Khieu Kanharith said it would be cheaper than commercial cafes.

Wealth of information

Seng Thai, a journalist for Radio Voice of Democracy, welcomed the idea, saying that it would open up a wealth of information previously unobtainable to journalists.

"Currently, I search for information on the internet at my workplace, but some documents are still not available," he said. "The Ministry of Information is the best source for all reporters, so it will be wonderful if this plan goes ahead."

But he was hesitant about paying to use a publicly-owned service. "If reporters have to pay, they will go to other internet shops that are better rather than spending time at the Ministry of Information."