BEIJING, China -- Representatives from over 240 media outlets across the globe called on global media to share authentic, objective, and comprehensive information in the battle against COVID-19, and jointly uphold the authority and credibility of the media to secure the health and well-being of humanity.
In a joint statement issued at the 4th World Media Summit (WMS) hosted by Xinhua News Agency on Monday, Nov. 22, the participants, noting that the impact of the once-in-a-century global changes and unprecedented pandemic are intertwined, agreed that the media sector around the world should adhere to “objectivity and truth, uphold justice, promote people-to-people exchanges, enhance mutual understanding, and build bridges of mutual learning among civilizations.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter, which was read out at the event by Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee.
Addressing the event, Huang said Xi's letter fully acknowledged the outcome of the summit and expressed the expectations for the world media to better shoulder social responsibilities, build up consensus, and advance the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
“This has provided important guidance for organizing well the summit and deepening media exchanges and cooperation,” Huang said.
Amid the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, global media should focus on the economic and social development of all countries and give full play to the positive role of the media in informing the public, according to the statement.
The participants called on the media industry to evolve with the times and use new technologies to drive its transformation and development, the statement said, adding that media organizations should focus on the use of new media technologies and markets to provide interactive, service-oriented, and experiential news and information services.
“This summit has enhanced understanding and friendship among the media and will pool a powerful force for building a community with a shared future for humanity and a better world,” the statement said.
Huang noted the particular importance of the media's role in building consensus as global changes and the COVID-19 pandemic, both unseen in the past 100 years, are intertwined.
Huang expressed his hope that the media can uphold the principle of objectivity and truth, make scientific and rational judgments, oppose misinformation and prejudices and be a responsible messenger of public information.
“The media should promote sincerity and mutual trust, and seek common ground while shelving and narrowing differences,” Huang said, adding that the media should also conscientiously cover news with an eye on improving the wellbeing of people around the world and build more consensuses to promote the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
“The media should act in accordance with the trend of mobile communication, deepen bilateral and multilateral cooperation and consolidate the popular support for exchanges and cooperation,” Huang added.
He said China will continue to promote the common values of humanity, and use its new achievements in development to provide the world with new opportunities..
The summit was attended both online and offline by nearly 400 people representing more than 260 media outlets and institutions from nearly 100 countries and regions.