ASEANEWS-FREE PRESS | World Press Freedom Day, celebrated annually on May 3rd | Photo exhibition in Phnom Penh, honouring national and international journalists

The Ministry of Information today marked World Press Freedom Day with a commemoration ceremony and photo exhibition in Phnom Penh, honouring national and international journalists who were killed or went missing during the war in Cambodia.

The programme began with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Memorial Monument opposite the French Embassy, followed by the arrival of senior officials and distinguished guests.

The main commemoration was held alongside a religious blessing by monks and the inauguration of a photo exhibition at the Jayamangala Information Garden, inside the ministry compound, highlighting the role of journalists from the 1970s to the present.

The event was attended by government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, the UNESCO Representative to Cambodia, and members of the press. World Press Freedom Day 2026, celebrated on May 3, carries the global theme “Shaping a Future at Peace: Promoting Press Freedom for Human Rights, Development, and Security”.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra said the occasion was to “pay our deepest respect to the national and international journalists who carried out their mission in Cambodia, especially those who lost their lives or were wounded during the years of war, from 1970 to 1998.”

He described Cambodia’s modern history as a long and complex journey, noting that the period from 1970 to 2026 represents 56 years marked by “war, violence, tragedy, division, recovery, peace, development, and the continuing task of building its future.”

The minister underscored the enduring role of journalists throughout this period, stating that “they have been witnesses to history, recorders of truth, and bridges connecting events on Cambodian soil with the Cambodian people and the wider world.”

Recalling the challenges faced by reporters during wartime, he said many journalists worked in dangerous conditions to deliver information. “They did not carry weapons. They carried pens, cameras, recorders, notebooks, and courage,” he said, adding that their mission was “to report, to reveal the truth, and to record the suffering, resilience, and hope of the Cambodian people.”

He noted that the sacrifices made by journalists reflect a broader commitment to society, stressing that “press freedom, the right to information, and the search for truth are never easy,” but are built on dedication and, at times, “the ultimate price of human life.”

Highlighting the significance of the exhibition, Minister Pheaktra said it showcases Cambodia’s journey through the lens of journalism, with each photograph serving as “a record of time, a witness to history, and evidence of the courage of journalists.”

The exhibition, he added, offers insight into the hardships faced by journalists during conflict and the continued development of the profession in Cambodia, while reinforcing the vital role of the press in society.