Journalists prohibited from reporting in Red Zones and restricted areas
Khmer Times


The Ministry of Information announced today it has officially prohibited journalists from reporting in Red Zone and restricted areas, as the country is still facing the third wave of COVID-19 infection.


In a statement released today, the ministry first acknowledge the important roles of journalists in delivering hot news and information related to COVID-19 to the public.

However, it said that some local and foreign journalists have been to Red Zones and restricted areas such as COVID-19 treatment facility and even “chased ambulances” to get the news or do a live coverage, in which they give baseless analysis or comments regarding the health system. Such content, the ministry added, could cause social unrest and increase the risk of COVID-19 infection in the community.



“To ensure social security and contain the spread of COVID-19 in the community, the Ministry of Informatin would like to ask all journalist to stop taking such actions immediately,” the ministry said.

“In case they still carry on with these violations, they will be held responsible before the law.”

The announcement by the Information Ministry coincides with media coverage by local news reporters from last night which shows ambulances transporting new COVID-19 patients and waiting in a long line to enter the Olympic Stadium, which has been turned into a COVID-19 treatment facility for those who were tested positive in Phnom Penh.