Government officials and advocates for media freedom alike have recognised the importance of Prime Minister Hun Manet meeting with representatives of the media, noting that it will provide an opportunity for concerns to be discussed, and understandings to be reached.

Prime Minister Hun Manet will meet with thousands of journalists and media representatives on May 3 at the capital’s Koh Pich. This is the sixth such meeting, albeit the first for Manet. The tradition was begun by his predecessor, former Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Government spokesperson Pen Bona told The Post that this is a continuation of the positive culture that Hun Sen encouraged during his tenure. This included his numerous meetings with athletes, journalists and factory workers, among others.

“Direct meetings between the leaders of the country and journalists allows them to listen and learn more about the government’s policies on journalism and the media sector. It demonstrates closeness, and also allows people to receive new updates directly from the government,” he explained.

Nop Vy, executive director of the Cambodian Journalists Alliance (CamboJa) supported the meeting. He noted that the prime minister has the power to offer wise advice and guidance to journalists.

Nevertheless, he wanted to see the forum allow journalists to express their challenges and possible concerns directly to Manet.

He suggested that some journalists in Cambodia have met with some challenges, such as having the licenses of their media outlets revoked or being prevented from covering certain events. He also urged the need to speed up the Kingdom’s access to information laws and amendments to laws governing the press, among others.

“The government has the power to ensure that journalists will be not intimidated or discriminated against, online or offline. We also want to see an end to the harassment of women journalists,” he said.

Tep Asnarith, spokesman for the Ministry of Information, believed the fact that the meeting is set to be held on May 3, which is​ World Press Freedom Day, will add more significance to the event.

He noted that journalists will be able to express their concerns and challenges, so that recommendations and solutions can be offered by the prime minister.

He also noted that Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra often met with journalists to listen to their concerns and requests.

Hun Sen first held the event in 2017, although the 2021 and 2022 meetings were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“In short, this meeting is an opportunity for journalists to raise their problems and discuss them. They will be able to request that the head of government suggest possible solutions. This meeting is vital, as it contributes to promoting the rights of a free press and of freedom of speech in Cambodia,” said Asnarith.