PUBLISHED: 21 Aug 2024 at 04: 00
In order to combat fake news, the Thai Journalists Association ( TJA ) and the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) have joined forces to fight fake news.
The two organizations ‘ conference on August 16 to 20 in Thailand made the decision.
A memorandum of understanding ( MoU) that was jointly signed in Phnom Penh in 2018 and revised in Bangkok in 2019 was discussed and extended during the meeting.
Both parties agree to work closely together under the terms of the MoU to promote and strengthen media relations, establish a hotline for emergency calls, conduct annual Thai-Cambodian media exchange programs, and cooperate with one another in the development of media competence and professionalism within the framework of the Confederation of Asean Journalists ( CAJ).
Thai and Vietnamese media have had a great relationship since 1994, according to Anucha Charoenpo, vice chairman of the TJA’s foreign affairs panel. However, this relationship was briefly halted for a while due to internal social issues in Cambodia.
A misunderstanding between the two countries in 2003 caused a significant mob in Cambodia.
During that period, Chavarong Limpattamapanee, then-president of the Thai organization, discussed with the CCJ how to start the Thai-Cambodian internet change programme in 2004.
This program aims to strengthen relationships among journalists, residents and governments, he said.
The two organizations reviewed their MoU during this year’s conference to further advance these relationships and protect media independence.
The two organizations recently established a line to solve immediate contacts or potential conflicts of interest.
The Thai relationship has even provided Khmer language instruction for Thai journalists, with Mr. Chavarong claiming that the best journalists will receive internship opportunities in Cambodia.
Thong Sovanraingsey, secretary-general of the CCJ, said this conference reflects the long-standing teamwork between the CCJ and TJA in discussing aims to accomplish the MoU. She urged both media outlets to function up to put the deal into full effect.
She stated that the CCJ has set a target to teach Thai journalists to accurately and completely report news, especially in the fight against false news.
False information, according to TJA president Norrinee Ruangnoo, is quickly becoming a major issue that could hurt Asean nations. Thus, the media in Asean may work attentively to tackle such issues, she said.
