Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen proposed an inter-ministerial working group to monitor and address insults and inappropriate speech on social media platforms such as Facebook and TikTok during a meeting with members of the Cambodian National Council for Women on August 14.
Hun Sen said public insults on social media should not be treated merely as personal disputes, arguing that such comments could harm public morals and dignity, as well as the image and social standing of Cambodian women. He said the proposed monitoring mechanism was intended to protect people's dignity and social order, rather than restrict freedom of expression.
He urged closer coordination among the ministries of Women's Affairs, Interior, Information, Posts and Telecommunications, and Culture and Fine Arts to establish a working mechanism. The Ministry of Women's Affairs could lead on matters concerning women's reputations and dignity, while suspected violations of the law should be handled by law enforcement agencies and judicial institutions in accordance with the law.
Hun Sen also said social media should not become a space where people freely insult others, calling for more civil and reasoned online exchanges.
