On September 23, in Da Nang, the Ministry of Information and Communications held a press conference to announce the main results of the 16th ASEAN Ministers on Information Meeting (AMRI 16) and the 7th ASEAN+3 Ministers on Information Meeting (AMRI+3).

Important contents passed

At the press conference, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam said that at the AMRI 16 conference, the Ministers affirmed and positioned the role of the information industry in the new period from 'information' to 'knowledge', information will become an active means for lifelong learning and raising awareness and digital literacy for ASEAN citizens.

This is the inevitable trend of digital transformation, the influence of social networks and new media, and the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

The Ministers encouraged greater dialogue and engagement between the media, communities and people to promote more inclusive information, calling for regional cooperation to build a healthy cyberspace environment through enhancing digital capacity, promoting the maximization of reliable information sources to build trust, guide public opinion, and enhance digital skills for ASEAN citizens, especially the younger generation and the elderly.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam informed about the results of AMRI 16 conference.

In addition, the ASEAN Ministers in charge of information adopted new documents, recognizing the results and progress achieved in cooperation frameworks in the information sector, including:

Through the AMRI ASEAN Vision 2035 statement, towards a transformative, adaptive, and resilient Information and Communications Industry to promote the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and support the implementation of the corresponding plans across the three ASEAN pillars.

Adoption of the Da Nang Declaration on "Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive ASEAN". Adoption of the Plan of Action of the ASEAN Task Force on Fake News (PoA of TFFN).

Along with that, through the Government's information management guidance on combating fake news and misinformation in the media by building a framework on how governments can respond; establishing standards and good practices for government information officers; improving coordination between government agencies, especially during times of crisis or emergency and to ensure that government information is accurate, transparent and accountable.

Reporters attending the press conference.

At the same time, update the progress of the implementation of the strategic plan for ASEAN Information and Communications (2016-2025) as well as support the development of a plan for the new phase, contributing more to the realization of the role of Information and Communications in promoting the building of a resilient and adaptive ASEAN, in line with the AMRI Vision Statement.

Approved the outcome reports from the three working groups under the ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) meeting and appreciated the importance of the three working groups to continue developing the information sector in the context of rapid digital transformation as well as promoting a safe and secure cyberspace for all ASEAN citizens, especially vulnerable groups in society including the elderly, youth, children and people with disabilities, etc.

Vietnam contributes many important initiatives

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam added that at this conference, host Vietnam brought very specific initiatives and messages.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam, Vietnam's first proposal is related to the issue of awareness education, especially digital awareness for citizens.

Second, it is imperative to have methods to force cross-border media platforms to fully comply with national laws, national and regional codes of conduct related to sensitive issues such as culture, identity, etc. The issue of responsibility of cross-border social networking platforms as well as the ethical issues of technology applied in communications has been raised by Vietnam to propose to the ministers and has been approved to be included in the conference's joint statement.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam said that Vietnam has contributed many important initiatives at the AMRI 16 conference.

The third initiative that Vietnam brought to the conference, which is also an issue that we are working on domestically, is to protect citizens not only against fake news, but also to make official information (state media) appear on digital platforms so that people can easily access it.

“Here, Vietnam has chosen the initiative proposed and approved by many interested members, which is to require all smart TV manufacturers in Vietnam or smart TV importers in Vietnam from 2024 onwards to pre-install mainstream television and press applications on the platform. The TV remote control must have an integrated off button, initially for the national digital television platform (VTV Go).

This helps consumers and the younger generation easily access traditional press information. Therefore, after television will be smartphones. The Ministry of Information and Communications has a plan to bring the national digital television platform to all smart TVs. The plan will be submitted to the Prime Minister for decision" - Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam said and informed that Vietnam's fourth initiative is to digitally transform all basic information.

Key workshops taking place at AMRI 16.

Regarding cooperation with dialogue countries, the Deputy Minister said that ASEAN Information Ministers thanked the initiatives of dialogue countries (including China, Japan, and South Korea) to promote cooperation with ASEAN in recent times; as well as exchanged views, initiatives, and measures to enhance professional capacity building and technical knowledge with ASEAN+3 countries, ASEAN+China, ASEAN+Japan, and ASEAN+South Korea.

"The meeting agreed to convene the 17th AMRI and Related Meetings in Brunei in 2025 and thanked the host country Vietnam for its thoughtful organization of the 16th AMRI. The Meetings took place in the spirit of ASEAN's traditional solidarity and friendship," Deputy Minister Nguyen Thanh Lam added.

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