16th AMRI endorses fake news and disinformation guidelines

The 16th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and related meetings ended today in Da Nang, Vietnam.

It has endorsed the guidelines on managing government information to combat fake news and media disinformation.

According to a joint media statement, guidelines initiated by Indonesia sought to provide a framework on how governments can respond to false or misleading information being disseminated in the media or on social media platforms.

The guidelines also sought to establish standards and good practices for government information officers to promote accuracy and reliability and improve transparency.

It also sought to establish accountability in government communications, improve coordination and collaboration between government agencies, and ensure government communications are transparent and accountable.

AMRI also urged the Asean Task Force on Fake News (TFFN) established in 2019, to keep up-to-date with digital developments that could exacerbate online abuses and create divisions in societies. This is by strengthening the promotion of cyber wellness and literacy and improving the efficiency of detection and response.

“To this end, the meeting underscored the need to better develop and adopt evidence-based research and approaches that could enhance policymaking in dealing with the deleterious impact of these cyber threats,” the statement said.

Be more resilient

Meanwhile, AMRI urged the media and information sector to be more resilient and responsive in response to the fast-changing information landscape.

It said the media and information sector should become an active medium for inclusive lifelong learning to promote digital awareness and literacy for Asean citizens. This growing influence of new and social media may cause public concerns and drive social discussion.

AMRI recognised that advanced technology and artificial intelligence have created and shaped digital content in unprecedented ways.

It said although these changes have brought about opportunities in innovative storytelling, it also brought on challenges such as the proliferation of fake news and disinformation and cyber threats due to the exploitation of digital technology by criminals.

AMRI also noted that digital transformation has disrupted the media industry, especially its business model such as radio and print journalism which need to better adapt to meet the demands of diverse audiences.

The meeting also supported the Da Nang Declaration on “Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive Asean”.

This recognised the pivotal role of media in various areas such as contributing to the goal of a knowledge-empowered citizenry.

The declaration also recognised the media's role in fostering Asean Identity to promote social cohesion and deepening a sense of regional belonging in response to the changing media landscape due to digital transformation.

Continuous support

Earlier, at the 7th AMRI Plus Three Plenary Session, China, Japan and South Korea expressed their continuous support for greater cooperation with Asean and its member states.

The 16th AMRI with the theme ‘Media: From Information to Knowledge for a Resilient and Responsive Asean’ focused on curbing fake news and misinformation and building a more resilient and responsive Asean community.

Besides Asean member states, the four-day meeting was attended by China, Japan and South Korea (Plus Three) and Timor Leste as observers.

The Malaysian delegation was led by Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil.

Members of the delegation included Communications and Digital Ministry Secretary-General Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa and the Information Department’s Media and Corporate Communications Division director E Sivabalan.

Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) Deputy Editor-in-Chief (News Service) Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin and senior ministry officials and other agencies were also part of the Malaysian delegation.

Fahmi when met after AMRI, said the meeting was fruitful in deepening cooperation among Asean countries and has agreed to work closely in combating fake news and disinformation.

- Bernama

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