(Baku): Cambodia on Thursday (Oct. 1) highlighted the vital role of media in strengthening social cohesion and promoting intercultural dialogue, stressing that public trust depends on access to accurate, reliable and quality information.

Prak Thav Amida, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Information, made the remarks while representing Minister Neth Pheaktra at a roundtable on “The Role of the Media in Strengthening Social Cohesion and Intercultural Dialogue” during the inaugural CICA Media Forum in Baku.

He outlined three key roles for the media: ensuring fair and accurate reporting that gives all sides a voice; promoting intercultural dialogue in schools, workplaces and communities; and providing space for constructive discussion grounded in verified information and mutual respect.

“Social cohesion does not mean everyone must share the same views. It means having common ground for dialogue and mutual understanding,” Prak Thav Amida said.

He also underscored the growing importance of information and media literacy as social media and artificial intelligence accelerate the spread of misleading and manipulated content.

The undersecretary of state urged the public to carefully verify sources, evidence and context before sharing information, saying stronger media literacy is essential to building trust and resilience against misinformation and disinformation.

Cambodia also shared its experience with the “Say No to Fake News” campaign and expressed readiness to deepen cooperation with CICA member states in responsible journalism, fact-checking, media literacy and the responsible use of emerging technologies.
=FRESH NEWS