The ASEAN workshop on best practices of digital transformation in media took place in Da Nang on Thursday under the chair of Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam. 

Mr. Bhagavad Prompen, the media representative of the Public Relations Department, the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand, delivers his speech at the workshop on the best practices of digital transformation in media, Da Nang, September 21. 2023. Photo: MAI QUE

The workshop was held jointly by the Ministry of Information and Communications and the ASEAN Secretariat, in the framework of the 16^th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsive for Information and related Meetings (AMRI) taking ‘Communication: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Adaptive ASEAN’ as its theme.

This event introduced the participants to good practices and digital transformation experiences from ASEAN regional press and media agencies, equipping editors, reporters and media staff with digital skills to improve qualifications and the application of modern technology and digital platforms.

Mr. Emver Paclibar Cortez, a representative of the Philippine Information Agency, said that the Philippine government is implementing the BroadBand ng Masa Project (BBMP) which aims to provide internet connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) across the country.

There have now been an additional 628 free, 24-hour wifi hotspots installed as part of the programme bringing the total number of such wifi hotspots across the Philippines to 4,757 whilst 73 localities in the Philippines now have free wifi access.

The government's free internet services have supported at least 2.1 million users, equivalent to about 100,000 homes. Digital technologies helped improve connectivity and government services during online meetings.

The Philippines is interested in verifying information before posting and providing it to the people. More than 10 television stations are located on the islands so that everyone there can access information.

The Philippines uses many different platforms to exchange information and interact with users. Currently, the government is working on a social media platform to ensure that content producers are approved honestly and that all citizens will have access to the platforms.

Mr. Bhagavad Prompen, the media representative of the Public Relations Department, the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand, said that Thailand has six strategies for developing digital transformation, namely developing highly effective digital infrastructure nationwide; promoting the economy with digital technology; building a fair and inclusive society through digital technology; transforming the public sector into digital government; human resource development for the digital economic and social era; building habits in using digital technology.

As for Thailand's typical experience in digital transformation, focus is placed on building standards for digital platforms and standards on the internet. Included are accuracy, consideration of information impact, responsibility of mobile phone users and community concerns.

In his concluding remarks, Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam said that this workshop on best practices of digital transformation in media helped to provide solutions and strategic proposals to strengthen cooperation in the ASEAN region in the coming time.

The event helped the delegates gain comprehensive insights from various perspectives on how to advance policy and foster cooperation among ASEAN member states in the context of digital media transformation.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam (centre) chairs the workshop on the best practices of digital transformation in media, Da Nang, September 21. 2023. Photo: MAI QUE

It also marked the first time ASEAN member countries had discussed the topic of digital media transformation, jointly carrying out tasks to promote the media sector. Heed must be paid to establishing frameworks, developing and promoting digital platforms for journalism and media, tackling copyright violations and integrating new digital technologies into production and management processes.

The digital transformation in media in ASEAN countries needs to prioritise regularly sharing experiences and best practices. This exchange includes not only reasonable policies and technology applications but also workforce training and investment strategies.

Besides, it is need to cooperate with other stakeholders to implement policies, train the workforce and mobilise as many resources as possible to digitise its journalism and communications. This initiative needs to apply a roadmap approach to help ASEAN countries develop quickly and effectively.

As part of this plan, ASEAN can consider building a common index to measure the level of development of digital transformation in the press with a corresponding measurement tool.

For Viet Nam, digital transformation efforts in the press industry aim to build press agencies in a professional, humane and modern direction. The country has collected a lot of valuable information and practices from ASEAN countries and stakeholders in the field of media digitalisation.

“Based on these solutions, more importantly, with concrete actions, step by step, we will guide ASEAN towards common understanding and coordinated action to promote digital transformation in media in a more active and effective manner.

Reporting by MAI QUE - Translating by A.THU