Cambodia warns of environmental disinformation at UNESCO global conference

MANILA, Philippines (Sept.30, 2025) — Cambodia is urging governments and global stakeholders to strengthen efforts to protect public access to reliable environmental information, warning of a “dual threat” posed by ecological crises and disinformation.

Speaking Friday at the UNESCO-hosted International Day for Universal Access to Information conference in Manila, Tep Asnarith, Undersecretary of State and spokesman for Cambodia’s Ministry of Information, said societies face parallel challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and natural disasters on one side—and the spread of fake news, especially on social media, on the other.

“Disinformation has increasingly emerged as a serious challenge, impacting safe and quality access to environmental information,” Asnarith told delegates during a high-level panel marking 10 years since the Paris Agreement.

He said Cambodia’s Constitution guarantees the right to information and that the government has prioritized environmental transparency in its communications strategy. The government regularly publishes data on forest cover, biodiversity, pollution control, and waste management, while provincial departments disseminate local updates.

Asnarith also highlighted Cambodia’s “Say No to Fake News” campaign, which combines media literacy and grassroots outreach. He said the Ministry’s Anti-fake News Committee monitors and fact-checks misleading reports, including those related to floods, droughts, and forest data.

The conference, themed “Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age,” brought together international delegates, UN officials, civil society groups, and media leaders to explore how accurate information can support climate action and sustainable development.