Firdous calls for engaging regional media

URUMQI: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan has stressed the need for setting up a regional framework of public outreach and strategic communications to engage and partner with the media for the promotion of social stability, prosperity and sound economic growth to ensure benefits of mass living in this part of the world.

She was speaking at the Forum of Information Ministers of China-Eurasia Expo on the 'Role of Media and Public Opinion in Promoting Regional Peace, Development, Economic Growth and Stability' here on Thursday.

The forum was held on the sidelines of China-Eurasia Expo being held here from Sept 1-5.

Wang Chen, Chinese Minister of the State Council Information Office, inaugurated the forum.

The Chinese news media and its Central Asian counterparts at the forum, including Pakistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, have vowed to fulfil the role of news and media in promoting peace and development in their regions.

Dr Firdous Awan said that today's meeting here has emerged as a forerunner on regional economic development, stability and peace for China's opening up and engagement with its western neighbours.

Highlighting the role of media and public opinion for achieving the shared objectives, the Information Minister said that it was important to recognize that the new media's scope had expanded in outreach and penetrated multiple social and transnational groups.

She pointed out that in today's era "media and public opinion stand in the centre of a global contest of ideas and ideologies, both as recipients and proponents of arguments and as agents of socio-political and economic change". (APP)