Jakarta, 4 September 2023 – Indonesia is leading the news agencies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to the realization of a vision to create media that focuses on people-centered values, shifting away from a state-centered approach.
One of the efforts to promote this people-centered approach is the establishment of the ASEAN Newsroom, an initiative launched during Indonesia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023 through the State News Agency (LKBN) Antara. It seeks to strengthen synergy among national news agencies in the region while expanding news coverage.
This was emphasized by Indonesian Minister of Communications and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi during the symbolic inauguration of the ASEAN Newsroom Corner at the Media Center of the 43rd ASEAN Summit held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) on Monday evening, 4 September 2023.
“This step will increase wider public awareness and participation in various ASEAN agendas. It is also anticipated that the presence of a people-centered approach will foster unity among Southeast Asian communities,” said Minister Budi Arie Setiadi.
Through the ASEAN Newsroom Corner located at the 43rd ASEAN Summit Media Center in Jakarta, cooperation among news agencies from various ASEAN member countries in the sharing of information and amplifying news becomes more accessible.
In addition to functioning as a platform for cooperation, it will also disseminate various programs, achievements, and developments in the Southeast Asian region through up-to-date, factual, and trustworthy reporting.
After the 43rd ASEAN Summit, the ASEAN Newsroom will continue to disseminate information about the organization. In the future, the ASEAN Newsroom Corner located at the LKBN Antara building will serve as a meeting point for journalists from news agencies across Southeast Asia based in Jakarta.
During the symbolic inauguration of the ASEAN Newsroom Corner, Minister Budi Arie Setiadi was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Communications and Informatics Nezar Patria and the Director General of Public Information and Communication of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics Usman Kansong. Also present is the Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy/Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah, and the President Director of LKBN Antara Akhmad Munir.
The Inauguration was marked by Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, Nezar Patria, Usman Kansong, Teuku Faizasyah, and Akhmad Munir striking a button.
At the same time, the President Director of LKBN Antara Akhmad Munir, stated that the presence of the ASEAN Newsroom Corner functions as a place to work and exchange ideas, transcending language barriers to promote unity and understanding among our diverse nations and cultures.
"Our mission is clear: to bridge the gaps between our nations, clarify the challenges to achieving success together as the ASEAN community, and cultivate a sense of ownership among ASEAN citizens,” emphasized Akhmad Munir.
The presence of the ASEAN Newsroom is expected to serve as a springboard for strengthening not only relations between news agencies in the ASEAN region but also media outlets from ASEAN member states. It is anticipated that this will increase accuracy, objectivity, and regional awareness in reporting various significant events in the ASEAN region.
By strengthening these relationships, it will disseminate news material to help educate and broaden the perspective of ASEAN communities. In the future, the ASEAN Newsroom has the potential to become a repository for ASEAN data that can also be utilized by parties outside the ASEAN region. (Toro/Alex/TR)
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For further information, please contact:
Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics – Usman Kansong (0816785320).
Get more information at http://asean2023.id, https://infopublik.id/kategori/asean-2023, and https://indonesia.go.id/kategori/ragam-asean-2023
Photo caption: Minister of Communications and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi (center), together with Deputy Minister of Communications and Informatics Nezar Patria (second left), Director General of Public Information and Communications of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics Usman Kansong (second right), Director General of Information and Public Diplomacy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Teuku Faizasyah (right), and President Director of LKBN Antara Akhmad Munir (left), officially launch the ASEAN Newsroom at the Media Center of the 43rd ASEAN Summit 2023 at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Senayan, in Jakarta, on Monday, 4 September 2023. Media Center of the ASEAN Summit 2023/Aditya Pradana Putra/pras.