AKP Siem Reap, July 22, 2025 --

The state of press freedom and media order in Cambodia was shared with media practitioners from 37 countries attending the 20th Asia Media Summit, currently taking place in Siem Reap, home to the world-renowned Angkor temples.

H.E. Tep Asnarith, Undersecretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, said that press freedom in Cambodia in 2025 has been assessed as positive—reflecting findings from a scientific survey conducted among journalists working across the country.

Speaking at a high-level workshop held as part of the summit, H.E. Tep Asnarith highlighted that the assessment was based on direct input from 467 journalists nationwide.

“Overall, 81.4 percent of surveyed journalists stated that the situation of press freedom in Cambodia is very good—72.2 percent rated it as good, and 9.2 percent rated it as excellent,” he said.

The Ministry’s spokesperson underscored that the study reflects the Royal Government’s ongoing efforts—alongside those of the Ministry of Information, media professionals, associations, and other stakeholders—to protect press freedom and support journalists in working freely and professionally. He added that journalism continues to serve as a bridge between the government and the people, contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.

Responding to some critical views, H.E. Tep Asnarith remarked that opinions expressed by certain organisations or associations are part of the diversity of thought typical in a democratic society under the rule of law. “At the same time,” he noted, “some civil society organisations are facing financial challenges and may feel pressured to highlight contradictions in order to sustain partnerships or attract funding.”

Regarding media safety, he said that more than 86 percent of journalists surveyed reported that they had complete freedom to carry out their professional duties.

“This marks a 6.2 percent increase in the level of media safety compared to the 2024 report,” he concluded.

By Heng Panha