Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Dr L. Murugan delivered the keynote address at the Global News Forum 2022 in New Delhi today. Addressing a gathering of representatives of various intelligence organizations from the Asia-Pacific region, Dr Murugan noted that the gathering was held on the auspicious occasion of Navratri. The Minister said that it is in times of crisis that TV news channels must become prudent and truth and trust must become the principle to be followed.
The theme of the Global News Forum “Truth and Trust in a Time of Crisis” is very apt and its importance is heightened after the COVID19 pandemic, which has also been referred to as an infodemic, he said. Dr Murugan further said that the forum is an excellent platform to exchange ideas and experiences. The fact that the media is of primary importance in democracy as its fourth pillar was emphasized by Dr. Murugan when he said that Prasar Bharati played a key role in spreading information during the pandemic.
He further emphasized that where on the one hand fake news and disinformation spread rapidly during the crisis, creating awareness against this evil has become equally important on the other. Mr. Javad Mottaghi, Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union emphasized that ABU is the largest broadcasting union with 250 members in more than 70 countries and the ability to reach more than 3 billion viewers.
Mr. Mottagi emphasized that Asia and the Pacific is a diverse region with large and small countries, countries with different cultures, economies and governance systems. However, diversity is not a threat but an opportunity, he added, adding that the Union focuses on its common features and respects diversity. Shri Mayank Agarwal, CEO of Prasar Bharati said that Prasar Bharati appreciates the role played by ABU as a forum for promoting the collective interest of television and radio broadcasters and encouraging cooperation between broadcasters in the region.
He expressed delight that the meeting was physically held after 3 years since the last meeting in 2019 in Istanbul, Turkey. Prasar Bharati has always lived up to the high standards of public service broadcasting and has been appreciated by people for its objectivity. Talking about the activities undertaken during the pandemic, Shri Agarwal thanked Doordarshan and All India Radio for proactively confronting the menace of fake news during the pandemic and informed the gathering that a fact-checking unit has also been set up under the Press Information Bureau.
He further informed the audience that the phone in ‘Doctors Speak’ show was telecast in 20 regional languages ​​where doctors answered questions from the audience. The wider media fraternity, he said, was essential in helping the country overcome the pandemic.
About the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)
ABU was founded in 1964 as a non-profit, non-governmental, non-political, professional association with a mandate to assist the development of broadcasting organizations in the region, currently based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. ABU promotes the common interests of television and radio broadcasters as well as key industry players and also facilitates regional and international media cooperation for members. It has more than 253 members in more than 67 countries in the Pacific region, Asia (South East, North, South, Central), Middle East, Europe, North Africa and North America, reaching a potential audience of approximately 2 billion people. Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR) are full members of ABU. All India Radio was a founding member of ABU in 1964, while Doordarshan joined ABU in 1976.
The Global News Forum 2022 is ABU’s flagship three-day annual NEWS event, hosting approximately 80 international media and journalism participants from various broadcasting organizations. Discussions are underway on various important broadcasting and journalism issues prevalent around the world in relation to the theme of this year’s event, i.e. ‘Truth and Trust in a Time of Crisis’. The inaugural Global News Forum takes place from 3 to 5 October 2022.
