Phnom Penh hosted the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 7th Meeting of the ICAPP Media Forum on November 23, 2024. Co-chaired by Cambodia’s Minister of Information, Mr. Netr Phekta, the event brought together political figures and media professionals from across Asia to discuss the growing threat of fake news in today’s digital landscape. The forum, held under the theme “Fighting Fake News in the Digital Age to Sustain Peace,” included representatives from 18 political parties and 15 media outlets from countries including Azerbaijan, Indonesia, Iran, and Thailand.

Participants expressed alarm over the rapid spread of disinformation, emphasizing its potential to fuel violence, hatred, and racial tensions. The widespread impact of fake news has disrupted political stability and strained international relations in several regions. The forum also recognized the detrimental effect fake news has on traditional journalism, calling for collective efforts to develop strategies to curb its spread. Key to the discussion was the role of artificial intelligence in amplifying misinformation, with the UN presenting a framework for a Code of Conduct for Information to combat the issue and protect human rights and free expression.

As digital technologies evolve, the forum reaffirmed the critical role of media networks in fighting misinformation and fostering peace. The ICAPP assembly marked a significant step in promoting international cooperation and collective action against fake news, emphasizing that peace and trust among nations depend on addressing this growing challenge.

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