Myanmar delegation led by Union Minister for Information U Maung Maung Ohn attended the opening ceremony of the 18th Asia Media Summit held at Grand Hyatt Hotel Ballroom in Denpasar City in Bali of Indonesia yesterday.
At the opening ceremony, Vice-President of Indonesia Dr K H Ma’ruf Amin, Director of Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) Ms Philomena Gnanapragasam, President Director of Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) Mr Iman Brotoseno, Executive Secretary and Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Ms Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana and AIBD Vice-President Mr Razal Giovanni Aportadera Jr gave the speech of greeting respectively.
Then, at the ministerial level discussion of the Summit, Union Minister U Maung Maung Ohn, Minister for Information of Cambodia Dr Kheiu Kanharith, Minister for Information and Broadcasting of Bangladesh Dr Hasan Mahmud, Minister for Communications and Information of Samoa Mr Toelupe Poumulinuku Onesemo and Deputy Minister of the Prime Minister’s Office of the Republic of Fiji Sakiusa Tubuna led the discussion on the topic of Role of Media in Economic Recovery.
During the event, the Union minister said the Vaccination Management Information System was drafted systematically in Myanmar for COVID-19 vaccination processes for the public. The containment of the disease and public awareness campaigns were also conducted in a timely manner. The COVID-19 relief fund was established and disbursed low-interest loans to the small and medium-scale enterprises affected to resume their industries as quickly as possible and it was informed to the public in a timely manner.
He also added that the loan was also granted to the most affected enterprises in the movie, music, theatrical and press sectors at the same time. A new media development department was formed recently to revitalize the private media which were on the verge of collapse due to COVID-19. COVID-19 is under control in Myanmar to a certain extent and the initial programmes to revive the economy are being implemented.
The Ministry of Information organized State-level ceremonies like the film academy awards ceremony that attract more public interest and success than before the period of COVID-19.
Moreover, the severe cyclonic storm Mocha hit the country through the areas near Sittway of the Rakhine coast with winds up to 135 miles per hour on 14 May but the country arranged preventive measures and preparations to overcome the disaster with a minimum of losses.
The state-owned and privately-owned media outlets released the notices in time and it saved thousands of lives.
The country will keep cooperating with international organizations in media cooperation works.
Then, the Union minister attended the ministerial meeting relating to the information sector of Asia-Pacific regions and a working luncheon hosted by the information department of Indonesia and AIBD. During the meeting, the Union minister put forward the attacking danger of fake news and misinformation and AIBD responsible persons and attendees responded with their understanding that collaborative efforts will be made to curb fake news and produce true news and information instead.
The discussion was continued in the afternoon and the attendants of information-related ministers, deputy ministers, heads of broadcasting stations in and outside the Asia-Pacific Region, representatives from government and private broadcasting institutions, media professionals, decision-makers and the officials of AIBD cordially discussed the cooperation with modern technologies in the broadcasting sector.
The 18th Asia Media Summit was co-chaired by AIBD and TVRI from 21 to 25 May. About 350 representatives from 38 countries within and outside the Asia-Pacific Region. The gala dinner and award-giving ceremony were held at Grand Hyatt Hotel in the evening. The Union minister attended the event and took part in the presentation of awards such as the Best TV Programme Award, the Best Radio Programme Award, the Special Jury Award on TV Programme, and the Award for Sustainability and Green Technology.
The Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) was established in August 1977 under the auspices of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The AIBD currently works with 26 Full Members (countries) and 50 partner organizations in Asia, Pacific, Europe, Africa, Arab States and North America. The MRTV of the Ministry of Information became a full member of AIBD in 1997.
The Asia Media Summit is held annually: the 14th Asia Media Summit was held in China in 2017 while the 15th Asia Media Summit in India in 2018, the 16th Asia Media Summit in Cambodia in 2019, the 17th Asia Media Summit held in Malaysia online in 2022 and the 18th Asia Media Summit in Indonesia in 2023. The Asia Media Submit was not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the outbreak of COVID-19. — MNA/KTZH
