Over 600 delegates consisting of broadcasters, media practitioners, and educators from more than 50 countries and territories met at the two-day 8th Asia Media Summit (organized by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, AIDB and hosted by the Voice of Vietnam, VOV) to discuss, debate and reflect on the consequences and implications of the digital media landscape.
In a video message, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said Asia was at the forefront of digital technology and new media. Themed “Digital media everywhere: repositioning broadcasting”, the Summit which was held in Ha Noi, Vietnam from May 22 explored critically the notion of digitalization and changing consumer experiences that allowed for creative strategies.
Dr Joanne Lim (School of Modern Languages and Cultures) represented the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus at the Summit and participated in several pre-event workshops on ‘Media Quality Management’, ‘Broadcasting for All: Focusing on Gender’, and ‘Capacity-Building and Training Strategies in the Digital Media Landscape’. Issues pertaining to digital transitioning (training, accessibility and connectivity), gender equality, media representation, traditional versus new media, and social media empowerment, were at the forefront of the discussions at many of the sessions.
Mr Toshiyuki Sato and Mr Tadashi Ideishi from Nippon Hoso Kyokai (NHK), Japan led a thought-provoking discussion on ‘Media and Disaster: Japanese Experience’. They raised important issues on news coverage during terrorism attacks, social uprising, and earthquake tsunamis. Mr Sato highlighted the controversies surrounding disaster images published by the media and questioned the meaning of ‘community’ (once local, now perceived as global with the strong presence of Google and Twitter).
Comparing Broadcaster Activists and Activist Broadcasters, Mr Saed Abu-Hijleh (Director, Center for Global Consciousness, Palestine) posited that control over the media is part of structural power and ground activism was necessary to compensate for gaps in the digital divide. Increasingly, the young are attempting to integrate television and social media for revolutionary activism, to work for or against economic, social, political and cultural change.
Quoting from an Iranian political cartoon “Stop or I’ll Tweet”, Mr Rajendra Shende (United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP) who also spoke alongside Mr Saed, discussed the power of freedom associated with social media and asked the pertinent question of whether the power of social media can be leveraged to protect and sustain the natural capital. “Can Web 2.0 platforms be used to help solve problems such as climate change and poverty?”
A conversation with Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) Manager of Executive Office, Ms Sopit Wangvivatana, revealed the increasing need for community voices to be heard and the role of digital media during the 2010 political turmoil in Thailand. “We follow the universal value of public broadcasters in speaking to everyone as a citizen…and we need to allow citizens to have their say as well”.
Also from Thai PBS, Mr Anothai Udomsilp (Director, Academic Institute of Public Media) raised the issue of accountability and credibility, urging broadcasters to consider both the mind and most importantly, the heart. “You need to be committed to society in order for society to place their trust in you. It takes years before good practices become a culture.” Founded by Mr Thepchai Yong in 2008, Thai PBS has been producing programmes and engaging in activities that encourage people’s access to and participation in public life.
Dr Lim is optimistic that the discussions and networking opportunities present at the Summit will enhance the teaching and learning of the International Communications programme at UNMC, in addition to developing further research collaborations between UNMC and major broadcast institutions worldwide.
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Dr Lim is currently leading the CNN iReport University programme at UNMC (in collaboration with CNN International). Students are selected to become CNN’s global Student iReporters and to forge a relationship with CNN for one academic year as they submit their story pitch and receive support from field experts to develop and hone their writing and editorial skills. Student iReporters gain first-hand practical knowledge of the editorial processes within an international newsroom setting.
For more information about this story please contact:
Joanne Lim
+ 603 8924 8197
Posted on 13th June 2011