Opening the 2019 Asia Media Summit in Siem Reap, the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen talked about the changes being faced by traditional media as it evolves to the digital and social media era, which he described as the Industrial Revolution 4.0.
“Sharing information on digital technologies can help us fight fake news and cyber crime. These are posing risks to security in the region and the world…
“The Industrial Revolution 4.0 has both benefits and downsides
“Digital is replacing analog technology to improve sound and vision, data storage, to reduce production expenditures and increase productivity, and improve the sharing of information…
“Digital technologies have been incorporated between telecommunications and broadcasting systems, creating digital and social media communications such as facebook, youtube we chat, twitter and many others. These tools increase communication and facilitate connections between people, they lower barriers to communication and the creation of new business.
“Digital technologies are helping governments transform public services, increase accountability and transparencies, and improving the economy.
“The benefits also come with disadvantages such as fake news, online blackmailing and the violation of personal rights. Everyone must increase cooperation to fight fake news and cyber crime, and develop the appropriate laws and digital safety standards.
“We must pay attention to increasing capacities in technical and professional aspects to keep pace with market demands to transform traditional broadcasting to help media face new market competition in the digital era.”
In his opening presentation, AIBD President Fayyaz Sheheryar talked about the changing technology affecting broadcasters and audiences, including the internet of things, big data, artificial intelligence, digitisation and new media.
“Developing countries face many challenges – the level of digitisation and infrastructure, lack of financial resources, lack of skilled workers for the new technology, exclusion of citizen voices…
“Exploiting the full benefits of digitisation requires coordinated strategies to benefit all citizens.”
Speaking about trust in media, Sheheryar said broadcasters must be diligent in seeking truth in a media environment there there is much untrue content.
“Truth in media is vanishing. To regain people’s trust in media there is a need to produce compelling stories for public good. Impactful truthful storytelling must not be lost… The world is experiencing a huge impact of changes. Fake news is the bane of the media in developing countries.”
The UNESCO Representative Sandra Umar Alam said: “UNESCO is working around the world for a free and safe world for media workers.”
AsiaRadioToday will bring you coverage of the conference over the next few days.