The 6th BRICS Media Forum has ended in Johannesburg South Africa, after about 200 representatives from about 100 media outlets, think tanks and international organisations from about 30 countries held discussions on the path to take in the face of emerging global challenges.
The forum which was held ahead of the BRICS Summit is a stage for dialogue and also serves as a bridge between leading BRICS media and their counterparts across the globe.
Held under the auspices of the Xinhua News Agency, the forum was under the theme: “BRICS and Africa: Strengthening Media Dialogue for a Shared and Unbiased Future.”
The delegates focussed their attention on three main topics: “Defending justice: the role of the mass media in establishment of a new world order.” “Strengthening of exchanges: the role of the mass media in stimulating Africa’s economic growth and “Facilitating innovations: the mass media’s obligation to facilitate ecological development”.
According to Fu Hua, the President of Xinhua News Agency, media outlets of BRICS countries bear significant responsibilities in this era and enjoy vast room for cooperation.
Welcoming the participants at the opening ceremony of the two-day forum, he said, to advance the high-quality development of cooperation among BRICS media, the participants should promote the shared values of humanity and jointly advance the building of a more just and equitable international order, better narrate the BRICS stories in the new era.
Mr Fu, who is also the executive chairman of the BRICS Media Forum, also proposed the joint promotion of cultural exchanges and mutual learning among civilisations.
Mr Dakota Legoete, member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, said since its establishment in 2015, the BRICS Media Forum had become an important platform to enhance the voice of BRICS countries.
“While some countries attempt to monopolise the international discourse and weaponise the media to attack other sovereign states, the BRICS media have demonstrated that the media should be committed to promoting world development, rather than becoming a tool to provoke wars,” he said.
Mr Andrey Kondrashov, Director-General of Russia’s TASS News Agency, said that over the past decade, the forum had become a distinctive and iconic platform for discussing media cooperation among member states.
He called on the BRICS media to collaborate in countering disinformation and safeguarding the interests of developing countries.
On her part, Elizaveta Brodskaya, First Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Russia Today, said the western media depicted Africa as something horrible where war, hunger and disease were rampant, adding that stories released by media outlets other than the western ones were labelled as “disinformation” once they diverge from the western narrative.
Mr Jose Juan Sanchez, Chief of Brazil’s Financial and Agricultural Information provider, CMA Group, stressed the importance of credible and impartial news information. “Communication among BRICS media is crucial, and the member countries should seek sustainable development in economic, environmental and social areas,” he said.
The BRICS Media Forum has made significant contributions in amplifying the international voice of member states and promoting globalisation, with peace and cooperation remaining its main goals, said Helio Doyle, President of the Brazil Communication Company.
Mr Iqbal Surve, Executive Chairman of Independent Media of South Africa, said the diverse cultures of the BRICS nations enrich the global conversations, and the BRICS media advocate for an inclusive, cooperative and just new world order.
He noted that the forum shed light on the challenges faced by developing nations, providing them with a platform to express their perspectives and aspirations.
The participants took turns during the panel discussion, to speak highly of the consensus that had been built over the years and initiatives established at the event by the media representative from across the world.
They also called for closer ties and partnerships to ensure sustainable development in Africa and the BRICS community.
The participants called on the BRICS media to take concerted actions with the African media based on the principles of common development and for mutual benefit.
They acknowledged that the world is faced with radical changes unprecedented in the past 100 years, and expects to hear a stronger voice of BRICS countries that would play more important role in promoting global multipolarity, economic globalisation and democracy in international relations.
They urged the media outlets of BRICS countries to work hand in hand with the African media to demonstrate the responsibility for their common mission to create a strong synergy to strengthen public opinion, build consensus among the media in emerging market economies and developing countries, and expand the influence of the BRICS
.The BRICS Media Forum was proposed by Xinhua News Agency in 2015 and jointly initiated with mainstream media outlets from Brazil, Russia, India and South Africa.
The sixth forum was co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the China Energy Investment Corporation (China Energy) as well as organisations from South Africa, aimed to promote practical cooperation among BRICS media outlets.
BY DAVE AGBENU, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
COURTESY: XINHUA NEWS AGENCY
