Phnom Penh: Cambodian Information Minister H.E. Neth Pheaktra joined foreign ambassadors and UNESCO representatives this morning in a memorial ceremony honoring journalists who died or disappeared during the Cambodian civil war (1970-1975). The event, held in a garden near the French Embassy in Phnom Penh, coincided with the 32nd World Press Freedom Day.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, French Ambassador to Cambodia, H.E. Jacques Pellet, along with representatives from the embassies of the United States, Japan, India, Australia, and Laos, as well as UNESCO Representative in Cambodia, Mr. Sardar Umar Alam, attended the morning ceremony. High-ranking officials from the Ministry of Information, the Club of Cambodian Journalists, media associations, and numerous national and international journalists were also present.

This year’s World Press Freedom Day theme, ‘Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom,’ provided a backdrop for the solemn occasion. H.E. Minister Neth Pheaktra emphasized the significance of the gathering, highlighting the purpose of honoring journalists who lost their lives while reporting during the Cambodian civil war.

Minister Neth Pheaktra paid tribute to the courage of both Cambodian and foreign journalists, acknowledging their sacrifices in reporting and broadcasting the realities and tragedies of war in Cambodia during the 1970s. He also announced the release of the Ministry of Information’s 2025 report on the state of press freedom in Cambodia. The report, based on a survey of 467 journalists, indicated significant improvement, with 81.4 percent of respondents rating the state of press freedom as ‘very good.’

He cautioned against external assessments driven by political motives, suggesting they aim to damage Cambodia’s reputation. Ambassador Pellet expressed gratitude to the Cambodian Information Minister for initiating the memorial, underscoring the vital role of journalists in reporting on the horrors of war with honesty.

Ambassador Pellet highlighted the courage of journalists in investigating and reporting freely and independently, especially during conflict. He noted recent reports showing that over 200 journalists were killed globally last year, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action to prevent such tragedies.