The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts urged all members of the video production field to make more effort to include educational content that would prevent violence against women and children in movies, music videos and social media content.

Speaking at a workshop on the role of producers and artists and their contribution to improving standards of social morality on May 10, Minister of Culture and Fine Arts Phoeurng Sackona said this would maintain the Kingdom’s culture of non-violence and inspire a civilised way of life in a country of peace.

She said the film industry in Cambodia has grown and the production of entertainment videos on social media by individuals or groups was now common, but the producers and writers had made few efforts to produce films or videos that included educational content on women’s values or the prevention of violence against children.

“Some movies have created a culture of violence, revenge, alcohol and drugs. It is a culture that we do not want the younger generation to copy,” she said.

Artist Phan Rong, who has often posted short videos on Facebook, said on May 10 that his group had produced educational short films on women’s and children’s rights and non-violence.

He said he was committed to making as many of these positive videos as possible.

Rights group Adhoc spokesman Soeng Sen Karuna said on May 10 that the new age of technology presented an opportunity for those who produce content and they could produce content that educates people about their rights and freedoms or culture and traditions. He noted, however, many videos have been posted on social media in violation of the rights of children and the country’s traditional culture.

“All of these should be examined and bans should be considered. They affect the rights of woman and children and sometimes use images which are inappropriate to our culture. I think there should be censorship as some videos are unworthy of being posted on social media,” he said.

Director Khun Chandy told The Post on May 10 that he supported the remarks, saying that producers need to have sound knowledge of professional standards. Production should not be focused entirely on entertainment but on the quality of the stories, he said.

He emphasised that that if the ministry wanted high standards, it should monitor producers.

“The quality of the production depends on the quality of the producer,” he said.

Ministry spokesman Long Ponna Sirivath said the ministry monitored all educational videos, and had a disciplinary council that could fine producers inappropriate content.

“We watch all of the videos. If we do not watch them, how can we react?” he said.