Minister of Information of Cambodia H.E. Khieu Kanharith has emphasised the key role of traditional media in effectively disseminate information, noting its upward trend in the current COVID-19 crisis.
In his opening remarks this afternoon at the Leaders’ Web-Summit on Redefining the Role of Media in the New Norm, H.E. Khieu Kanharith said during the pandemic, the habits of consumption have shifted to the increase in audio-visual and online media consumptions thanks to the facility of access to internet connection.
“Here in Cambodia, we also noted a certain return to the traditional media as a compass to find a way in the flood of daily information. So we must concentrate our effort in the production of information and entertainment contents and at the same time using all alternate means of communication to spread the message to the public,” he underlined.
According to H.E. Minister, an adequate information system could timely provide immediate, expeditious and coordinated data access and sharing. It would facilitate the prioritisation of care, access and response, especially for regions and people in conditions of vulnerability.
The COVID crisis has highlighted the lack of more efficient structures and processes necessary in a digitalised society, H.E. Khieu Kanharith said, adding that at the same time, seeing the upward trends that are shown by traditional media in many countries and which is also an inexpensive resource for many families, there is a need for capitalisation and revitalisation of traditional media to ensure its continuity in the present status.
Through the Leaders’ Web-Summit, participants would see the unique opportunity created by the global crisis, learn about refined approaches to leadership and share knowledge on how to move forward while adapting to the new norm, the minister said.
The two-day summit, initiated by the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), is aimed to celebrate the role of media in mitigating crisis, through awareness and dissemination of information, and community building, and to provide a platform for the leaders to highlight the accomplishments and to discuss the challenges ahead.
Source: Agency Kampuchea Press