Cambodia Pushes Regional Action Against AI-Driven Disinformation

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Nov 4 (NNN) -- Cambodia is calling for stronger regional cooperation among ASEAN members to counter the growing threat of misinformation, disinformation and AI-generated synthetic media.

Information Minister Neth Pheaktra said on Wednesday that regional efforts should focus on improving access to reliable information, strengthening media literacy and promoting responsible practices among digital platforms.

“Digital transformation continues to open new opportunities for our region. It has broadened access to knowledge, connected communities, and provided new avenues for creativity, enterprise, and public participation.

“At the same time, the rapid spread of misleading information is an increasingly complex challenge. Such content can undermine public confidence, facilitate fraud and exploitation, and affect mutual understanding among our societies,” he said.

The minister was addressing the two-day “ASEAN Multistakeholder Symposium on Mitigating Disinformation and Managing Synthetic Media in the Digital Era”, which began in Phnom Penh today.

He said the rapid spread of false and misleading information, coupled with advances in generative artificial intelligence, posed significant challenges to societies across the region.

“Cambodia welcomes the opportunity to share experience with ASEAN members and international partners to explore approaches that can be adapted to the needs of our community.

“Cambodia welcomes deepening engagement with media organisations, academic institutions and technology platform providers for cooperation,” said Neth Pheaktra.

The symposium was organised by Cambodia’s Information Ministry, the ASEAN Secretariat, the German Federal Foreign Office, the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Switzerland.

--NNN