Synopsis: Business leaders, academics, and government officials urge mediapersons to uphold ethics, avoid harmful content, and focus on economic reporting to protect the country’s investment climate.
Journalists have been urged to uphold professional ethics, avoid harmful or inciteful content, and strengthen economic reporting, as government officials, academics, and business leaders call for greater responsibility towards safeguarding Cambodia’s investment climate and social cohesion amid the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI).
Speaking at a panel discussion at a media forum titled “AI, Ethics and Professionalism: How Should We Move Forward?” organised by the Club of Cambodian Journalists, Cambodia Chamber of Commerce Vice-President Lim Heng emphasised the importance of responsible journalism amid the rapid advancement of AI, noting that the media plays a crucial role in supporting economic growth and social stability.
The forum brought together more than 100 journalists from 67 media organisations, along with speakers from the AI, business and media sectors, to discuss the evolving media landscape, professional responsibilities and AI’s role in societal development.
Heng said a growing economy would directly benefit the media sector through higher advertising revenue and urged journalists to uphold professional integrity and work collectively in the broader interests of society.
“With the rapid global development of AI, journalists should pay more attention to economic reporting,” he said. “If the economy grows, journalists, professionals and the nation will all progress together.”
He warned that focusing too much on negative or sensational news can harm people’s feelings and damage social unity.
“Do not focus too much on scandals or negative news,” he said. “Over-reporting such content affects social sentiment and young people. Publishing inciting content can lead to division.”
Senior academic Yang Peou cautioned that careless media practices can lead to significant consequences, especially in the digital age, where information spreads quickly and influences public opinion. “Misinformation or provocative content can go beyond individual cases,” he said, warning that “a single message can escalate tensions or damage relations between countries”.
Peou, who also serves as Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, urged journalists to exercise caution and adhere to professional standards, particularly as technological change reshapes the media landscape.
“We cannot avoid the AI era, but we must use it carefully, not let it control us,” he said.
Phos Sovann, Director-General of the General Department of Information and Broadcasting at the Ministry of Information, acknowledged the sector’s challenges but stressed the need to balance press freedom, ethics, respect for the law and financial sustainability (livelihood).
“Everyone needs to earn an income, but it must be done with integrity. Press freedom is fully supported, but it must go hand in hand with professionalism and respect for the law,” he said.
