Prime Minister Hun Sen called on journalists to adhere to professionalism and integrity in their works, warning that failure to do so undermines the value of other professional media institutions.
He made the call in a message to commemorate the 18th Editors’ Forum, organised by the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) on December 11 under the theme “Covid-19: Challenges and Opportunities for Journalists” and presided over by Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith.
“Once again, I appeal to all media institution leaders and all journalists to adhere to professionalism and integrity in their daily duties, and to avoid violating professionalism for personal interests, which affects the integrity and value of other media that may have been professionally practising their craft,” Hun Sen said.
The prime minister urged journalists to contribute more actively in the Covid fight by running educational pieces and recounting the government’s preventive measures against the disease.
Journalists should also join hands in the crusade against fake news by publishing the truth and immediately dispelling any misinformation they encounter, Hun Sen suggested.
By the same vein, the information minister opined that plenty of people could pass themselves off as “journalists”, but not all of them can be “professional”, pointing out that a good deal of online media outlets merely churn out whatever news or content they believe will drive traffic and result in greater revenue.
“A vital consideration when getting into journalism is to embrace professionalism as a suit of armour to protect us and our integrity,” Kanharith said.
“By neglecting our professionalism and ethics, no one will listen to us, and they’ll suffer from the pandemic because of it.”
Speaking at the event, CCJ president Pen Bona noted that the media sector has been impacted by Covid-19 and that those ramifications should be discussed.
This is the reason that this year’s forum centred on Covid-19 and the challenges and opportunities it brings for the media, he said.
“We’re trying to find ways to be ready for future challenges posed by any issue comparable to Covid-19,” Bona said.