Asean Makes Significant Progress In National Communication Plan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 1 (Bernama) -- The media of all Asean member states have made significant progress in implementing the National Communication Plan to promote better understanding of the Asean Community and bring the peoples of the region closer together. Deputy Information, Culture and Tourism Minister of Laos Savankhone Razmountry said Asean information and media sector cooperation was strengthened in many fields since the 10th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) in Vientienne in 2009. He said the cooperation included the exchange of news, media personnel and other media cooperation through fundings from the Asean Constructors' Federation (ACF) and Dialogue Partners as well. "We highly appreciate the efforts of all Asean member countries which are involved in Asean Digital Broadcasting Cooperation in making significant progress in their programme," said the outgoing chairman of AMRI in his opening statement before handing over the chair to Malaysia's Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim at the 11th AMRI conference at a hotel here, Thursday. The 11th AMRI was declared open by Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia Muhyiddin Yassin Thursday morning. The three-day 11th AMRI conference carries the theme, "Media: Connecting Peoples and Bridging Cultures towards One Asean Community". The National Communication Plan is the regular information programmes of member states to promote Asean and its activities among members of their public. Savankhone said cooperation between AMRI and three of its Dialogue Partners -- China, South Korea and Japan -- was also strengthened through many cooperation frameworks including visits and personnel exhange of media organisations and governmental organisations. The cooperation also involved workshops and trainings, exchange of news, joint production of broadcast programmes and comprehensive joint endeavours in the film industry. He added that the media did not only have a role in generating a flow of information, but also to help people to communicate with each other and promote better understanding among the people of Asean. "To ensure and enhance communication connectivity and public connectivity with the Asean community, the media sectors of Asean member countries have an important role to create effective and efficient communication and information within the Asean community," he said. -- BERNAMA