Phnom penh: Inter-ministerial experts convened this morning at the Ministry of Information to examine a draft set of guidelines focused on the protection of the rights of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and persons with disabilities. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Tep Asnarith, Under-Secretary of State and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Information, with 40 participants from six relevant ministries in attendance.

According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, the participating ministries included the Ministry of Women's Affairs, Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and Ministry of Cults and Religion. The gathering aimed to review a draft guideline on media reporting designed to safeguard the rights, dignity, and privacy of vulnerable groups. This initiative seeks to reinforce professional ethics among journalists and media practitioners across both traditional and digital platforms.

Speaking at the meeting, H.E. Tep Asnarith emphasized that the guideline would serve as a crucial framework to guide responsible journalism. He stressed that reporting on sensitive issues such as violence, sexual abuse, and accidents must adhere to strict ethical standards, including obtaining prior consent and protecting the identity of victims.

The meeting underscored the importance of using inclusive and respectful language, urging journalists to avoid discriminatory, stigmatising, or sensational expressions. The draft guideline features a set of clear 'Dos and Don'ts,' notably prohibiting the exploitation of victims' stories or images for commercial purposes.

This guideline was also drafted with input from international partners such as Plan International Cambodia, Save the Children, World Vision, UNICEF, and CARE.