Anti-fake news campaign expands as youth urged to stop misinformation.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Information is expanding its anti-fake news campaign across schools nationwide, with officials calling on students to become active participants in stopping the spread of misinformation before it reaches wider audiences.
Speaking at Chea Sim Takeo High School on June 12, ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith urged students and members of the public to refrain from sharing unverified information online and instead help raise awareness about the dangers posed by fake news.
“If you encounter false information, do not share it,” he said, adding “If we see fake news, we must work together to cut off its circulation by ensuring it stops with us”.
His remarks came during a second-phase outreach event of the ministry’s campaign, which aims to strengthen information and media literacy among young people as Cambodia grapples with the growing influence of social media platforms.
The event drew approximately 2,000 participants, including students, teachers, youth volunteers, local authorities and provincial officials.
Asnarith described fake news as an invisible threat capable of undermining public trust, disrupting social order and damaging personal reputations.
He said students should adopt a habit of verifying information before believing or sharing it, particularly as social media increasingly becomes a primary source of news and information for many young Cambodians.
“Before believing or sharing any information, people should verify its source through official institutions and credible channels,” he said.
“We need to build a digital society based on trust and responsibility,” he added.
The campaign reflects a broader effort by authorities to promote media literacy as a tool for combating misinformation, rather than relying solely on responses after false information has already spread.
Officials have expressed concern that misleading content, fabricated stories and manipulated information can spread rapidly through platforms such as Facebook, TikTok and Telegram, where users often share information without verifying its accuracy.
As part of the campaign, students are being encouraged not only to identify misinformation but also to use social media more constructively by sharing educational content, useful knowledge and positive community messages.
Asnarith urged young people to view smartphones and digital technologies as tools for protecting rather than harming society.
He described digital devices as both a “mirror of truth” and a “shield of safety” when used responsibly, arguing that information security begins with individual users.
“Information security within communities starts with every student and every citizen,” he said.
The campaign has placed particular emphasis on schools, where officials believe media literacy skills can be developed at an early age and carried into adulthood.
Provincial authorities, educators and youth representatives attending the Takeo event voiced support for the initiative and pledged to help strengthen critical thinking and fact-checking practices among students.
Takeo deputy governor Mom Kay joined ministry officials in encouraging students to think carefully before sharing online content and to help prevent the spread of misleading information within their communities.
Participants also reaffirmed their support for the campaign’s objective of reducing the social risks associated with online misinformation by promoting greater awareness and verification practices.
The second phase of the “Say No to Fake News” campaign is being implemented under the theme “Strengthening Information and Media Literacy for Information Security”.
The initiative was officially launched by information minister Neth Pheaktra on May 18 at Samdech Hun Sen Bun Rany Wat Phnom Krom High School in Siem Reap province.
Since then, campaign teams have visited schools in Phnom Penh, Preah Vihear and Takeo provinces, with further activities planned in other provinces throughout the year.
