PUBLISHED: 21 Aug 2024 at 04: 00
The Thai Journalists Association ( TJA ) and the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ) have joined forces to combat fake news, which causes miscommunications in both nations.
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 project aims to strengthen relationships among journalists, residents and governments, he said.
The two organizations reviewed their MoUs during the meeting this week to further encourage these relationships and protect media freedom.
The two organizations recently established a line to address problems that might cause mistakes.
According to Mr. Chavarong, the Thai relationship has provided major journalists with intern opportunities in Cambodia through Khmer language training.
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 the internet in both nations to work up to put the deal into full effect.
She claimed that the CCJ has set a target of teaching Cambodian editors how to accurately and completely document information, especially when it comes to battling false information.
False information, according to TJA chairman Norrinee Ruangnoo, is quickly becoming a major issue that could hurt Asean nations. Thus, the internet in Asean may work attentively to tackle such issues, she said.
