The 5th ASEAN Media Forum held virtually by the ASEAN Secretariat on August 13 continued to highlight the bloc's goals, achievements, and challenges to the region’s top media editors and influencers.
Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Lim Jock Hoi asserted their priority and plan in enhancing efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of the people in the region. He emphasized that while media has become an integral part of the advancement of societies, reliable channels of communication that inform, educate and empower people are increasingly essential.
“ASEAN would also benefit from your insights being the voice of integrity and the bridge between our vast and diverse communities to secure a sustainable and resilient future,” he said.
During the opening session, participating ASEAN senior editors shared their experiences regarding restrictions they faced in their reporting job due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was followed by a panel discussion on “The importance of multilateralism in a diverse ASEAN.”
The panel featured former Secretary-General of ASEAN, Ambassador Ong Keng Yong, who is currently the Executive Deputy Chairman of S Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore; Moe Thuzar, fellow and co-coordinator of Institute of Southeast Asian Studies’ Myanmar Studies Programme; and Dr. Chang-Yau Hoon, Director of the Centre of Advanced Research at the University of Brunei Darussalam.
The highlight of the forum was an exclusive conversation where media leaders had the opportunity to hear insights from and exchanged views with the Secretary-General of ASEAN and former Foreign Minister of Indonesia Marty Natalegawa.
It was stressed that ASEAN should continue to enhance its convening power as well as its thought leadership to manifest its centrality. It is also critical for ASEAN to uphold and promote its principle of resolving disputes through peaceful settlement.
The event was made possible with support from the German Federal Government through the Deutsche Gessellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit.
