The third Mekong journalism training workshop on the role of media in combating disinformation and fake news in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) context was held in Phnom Penh on Wednesday.

Organized by the International Relations Institute of Cambodia (IRIC), an arm of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, in partnership with the Club of Cambodian Journalists, the two-day workshop is an attempt to examine dis- and mis-information and their related challenges, said the IRIC's director general Kin Phea.

He added that combating disinformation and fake news has contributed to maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity.

"Through a mix of interactive sessions, engaging lectures, and practical exercises, the workshop will enable journalists to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of disinformation," he said.

"Participants will delve into the various techniques used to create and spread disinformation, including social media manipulation, bot networks, and psychological strategies, with a specific focus on how these tactics impact the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)," he added.

Phea said that the workshop will also encourage renowned investigative journalists to share their expertise on uncovering dis- and mis-information and explore strategies for fostering media literacy among the public, empowering citizens to evaluate information and identify fake news critically.

"Beyond acquiring valuable skills, the workshop fosters a strong network of journalists across ASEAN and China, contributing to a more robust ASEAN media landscape," he said.

He added that the workshop serves as a vital resource, enabling journalists to share information, support one another, and collectively combat the threat of disinformation on a regional scale, strengthening the ASEAN community's resilience against disinformation and fake news.

Meanwhile, Phea said AI is being weaponized by external political forces to create social media manipulation, bot networks, and psychological strategies for the purpose of directing social agenda, sowing mistrust and confusion and sharpening existing socio-cultural divisions.

These acts can undermine the credibility of governments and destabilize targeted states within ASEAN, he added.