Cambodia Expands Anti-Fake News Campaign as Officials Warn of AI Risks

PHNOM PENH, June 1, 2026 (KPT) – Cambodia’s Ministry of Information has launched the second phase of its nationwide “Say No to Fake News” campaign, warning that advances in artificial intelligence are making it easier to spread misleading content online.

The new phase, themed “We Are Youth Against Fake News”, was inaugurated at Samdech Hun Sen Phnom Penh Thmey High School, where more than 2,000 people gathered.

Speaking on behalf of Information Minister Neth Pheaktra, ministry spokesperson Tep Asnarith described information security in the digital age as a strategic priority.

He said rapid technological development, including AI, had heightened risks posed by misinformation and disinformation.

According to Asnarith, some overseas groups have exploited these tools to circulate distorted narratives about Cambodia’s social conditions and development initiatives.

He warned that such falsehoods were often designed to sow confusion and instability by exaggerating or misrepresenting events.

The first phase of the campaign, launched in 2025, reached more than nine million social media users out of an estimated 16 million nationwide.

The ministry said the second phase aims to boost media literacy, raise public awareness and strengthen safeguards against online deception.

Asnarith noted that the initiative had helped curb fabricated content, including AI-generated material allegedly originating abroad.

He said the ministry and its provincial departments would continue outreach activities, focusing on young people.

He also urged government information networks to expand their use of platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, YouTube and TikTok to disseminate accurate information and respond quickly to public concerns.

Calling on youth to verify content before sharing, Asnarith stressed that digital literacy remained one of the most effective defenses against online scams, misinformation and manipulation.