On the occasion of World Press Freedom Day (3 May), Cambodia held a celebration, calling for combating fake news.

The event, themed on the media's potential role in supporting peace and democracy, gathered more than 100 media representatives in the country.

In a message to mark the day, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen urged journalists to join the fight against fake news spread by ill-intentioned individuals for their own interest.

He said fake news is posing threats to peace, democracy and development in the world, while the media is making important contribution to building a society of justice, peace and development.

Speaking at the event, Information Minister Khieu Kanharith encouraged journalists to publish real news to counter the effects of fake news.

UNESCO Representative to Cambodia Sardar Umar Alam said the international organisation recorded 99 journalists killed globally in 2018 and a total of 1,307 journalists killed worldwide between 1994 and 2018.

(Source: VNA)