Ministry of Information spokesperson Tep Asnarith has reiterated that the latest requirements for journalists to practice their profession in compliance with the Constitution, the Law on the Press and the Charter of Professional Journalism is intended to ensure safety while working.
He noted that the goal is to prevent the exercise of freedom that deviates from ethical standards, thereby infringing upon individual privacy, reputation and dignity, or affecting national security and public order.
Asnarith participated in the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, organised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and UNESCO, on the afternoon of December 4 in Phnom Penh.
During the event, he stated that Cambodia opposes impunity and continues to promote justice and safety for journalists. These efforts are a top priority for both the ministry and the Royal Government, he said.
According to Asnarith, in 2025, the ministry resolved a total of 23 complaints against journalists regarding non-compliance with the code of ethics, violations of privacy and individual rights, and violations of laws affecting national security.
He explained that the measures implemented by the ministry for journalists are designed to protect them from facing severe legal action. At the same time, the ministry has also provided defence lawyers to journalists in certain cases that have reached the courts.
“The implementation of legal instruments and various regulations is established to ensure order in the media sector and to promote press freedoms which are characterised by diversity, quality, professional values and inclusiveness, in accordance with qualification standards and the legal framework. This is essential for enhancing information safety for consumers,” he said at the event.
He added that over the past eight years, no journalist has been killed while fulfiling their duties in accordance with the law, professionalism and the code of ethics, while noting that one journalist was killed as the result of a personal dispute, a case which has already been adjudicated.
From 2024 to October 2025, a total of 14 former journalists passed away due to old age or traffic accidents.
As of October 2025, there are 8,732 journalists in Cambodia, approximately 13% of them women, fully and legally practicing their profession. Meanwhile, there are 1,552 media outlets registered with the ministry, encompassing both traditional and new media, according to Asnarith.
Regarding the space for freedom in the journalism profession in Cambodia, Asnarith stated that a 2025 survey indicated that over 86 per cent of journalists claimed to have full freedom and safety, without harassment, and worked in an environment conducive to freely gathering news, writing, producing and disseminating their information.
