Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 23 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet recommended the establishment of a dedicated media task force to support capital-provincial broadcasters in swiftly and effectively responding to both positive and negative stories. In doing so, Samdech Thipadei underlined that negative information can be sensationalized to attract attention, while positive information often goes unnoticed.
The premier spoke on Tuesday (Jan. 23) during the closing of annual meeting of the Ministry of Information at Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet urged the Department of Information, serving as the Information Secretary of the Ministry of Information, not to merely act as an information collector and distributor but to function as public servants, being proactive in handling stories before they escalate. Disputes should be resolved at different stages, without the need to escalate everything to the national level.
Meanwhile, Samdech Thipdei underlined that each ministry and institution must have the authority to disseminate and clarify information promptly, addressing unclear aspects and correcting inaccuracies immediately. This is deemed a crucial mechanism for effective communication.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet continued, "In each province, a significant amount of work is being done, but the problem lies in the limited publicity for our achievements. If there is promotion, it is often poorly organized. Negative information is packaged to attract attention, whereas positive information is neglected."
"I have advised that in each province, there should be a small working group for provincial governors to manage these matters. We have various means to convey our accomplishments, so please ensure checks are in place," Samdech Thipadei underscored. The aim is to avoid positive news being overlooked while negative news resurfaces.
On the occasion, the premier underlined the importance of consistently shaping public opinion. If we engage in positive actions without actively disseminating the information, the public remains uninformed. Conversely, negative information tends to spread easily, leading to a skewed perception where people predominantly know about negative aspects. It is crucial to recognize that what people regularly see and hear with their eyes and ears influences their thoughts, which eventually flow to the brain and then to the heart.
Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stated that each province, district, and commune possesses the authority to achieve significant accomplishments through hard work, and these achievements should be brought to the forefront.
"Therefore, I would like to request the Governor of the Capital and Provinces, to collaborate with the National Committee for the Coordination of Public Information, and the Ministry of Information, to establish and implement this mechanism”, Samdech Thipadei underscored.
=FRESH NEWS
