Useful information became a positive means to raise awareness for ASEAN citizens, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam affirmed at a press conference held in Da Nang on Saturday morning to announce outstanding results at the 16^th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI-16) and the 7^th AMRI Plus Three meeting.

Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam (left) and Permanent Secretary of the Brunei Prime Minister's Office Meluddin AJMAN chaired the press conference on Saturday morning. Photo: VAN HOANG

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam said that during the meetings, participating Ministers encouraged dialogue and engagement between the media, communities and people to promote comprehensive information, and call for enhanced cooperation among ASEAN member nations. The purpose was to build a healthy cyber environment through improving digital capacity; promoting the maximisation of reliable information sources to build trust and shape public opinion; and enhancing digital skills for ASEAN citizens, especially the young generation and the elderly.

Also at the events, ASEAN Ministers in charge of information together adopted new documents, including the AMRI Vision Statement “ASEAN 2035: Towards a Transformational, Adaptive and Resilient Information and Communications Industry” which aims to realise the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and support the implementation of corresponding plans on the three ASEAN pillars.

Additionally, they focused on addressing challenges and taking advantage of opportunities arising from rapid digital convergence and transformation after 2025; highlighting the vital role of digital transformation in media in empowering individuals, communities and society, and transitioning from passive information consumption to active knowledge acquisition; and encouraging ASEAN member states to develop a digital transformation master plan for press and media.

At the same time, the Da Nang declaration on "Media: From information to knowledge for a resilient and adaptive ASEAN" was adopted. It recognises the key role of media in contributing to realising the goal of equipping citizens with knowledge and promoting the acquisition of knowledge as a driving force to promote a resilient and adaptive ASEAN community; as well as features an action plan of the ASEAN Task Force on Fake News to address the rise of asymmetric threats including fake news, misinformation, hate speech, and extreme viewpoints.

Besides, the meetings provided the government’s information management guidelines for combating fake information and misinformation in media with the purpose of developing a framework in which how governments can respond to false or misleading information being disseminated in media or on social media platforms.

Heed was on setting up standards and good practices for government information officers; enhancing accuracy and reliability; improving transparency and accountability in government communications activities; and boosting coordination between government agencies.

Representatives of news and press agencies exchange and receive information related to the AMRI-16. Photo: VAN HOANG

Also at the meetings, the delegates updated and welcomed progress in implementing the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Information and Media during the 2016-2025 period, as well as showed their support for the development of a plan for the new period to further contribute to realising the role of information and communications in promoting the building of a resilient and adaptive ASEAN in accordance with the AMRI Vision statement.

Furthermore, they approved the approval of outcome reports from three working groups under the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information (SOMRI); updated the progress of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan II (ACMP II) during the 2018-2025 period; acknowledged the activities/projects of the ASEAN Committee for Culture and Information (ASEAN COCI); raised awareness of ASEAN and promote ASEAN identity; and supported ASEAN's efforts to address human, social and sustainable development issues.

At the press conference, representatives of news and press agencies discussed and listened to answers related to the conference and its side activities, including Viet Nam’s initiatives contributing to the ASEAN press and media industry, digital transformation, solutions to prevent fake news, and further initiatives and plans.

Reporting by VAN HOANG - Translating by M.DUNG