Participants gather at the 8th ASEAN Media Forum in Vientiane

ASEAN Media Forum explores regional integration

The 8th ASEAN Media Forum in Vientiane on 25 November brought together regional media leaders and policymakers to discuss ASEAN’s integration goals and the future of connectivity.
The event was also attended by Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Phosy Keomanivong, Chargé d’Affaires of the German Embassy in Laos, Ms Nicole Stechmann, along with invited guests and media representatives from ASEAN member countries.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr Phosy Keomanivong, said the event reflects Laos’ 2024 ASEAN Chairmanship theme and aligns with Visit Laos Year 2024.
He raised that the forum is a venue for ASEAN media to share ideas and strengthen cooperation under the ASEAN Communication Master Plan 2018–2025.
“This forum is a meaningful part of the ASEAN Communication Master Plan from 2018 to 2025, providing a media stage for an ASEAN spokesperson, particularly the ASEAN Chair,” he said.
The forum also coincides with preparations for Laos’ 49th National Day on 2 December, adding significance to the occasion.
The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr Kao Kim Hourn, addressed the forum online, noting that it has been held annually since 2017 to foster dialogue between ASEAN policymakers and media.
He emphasised the media’s role in advancing the ASEAN Community’s post-2025 integration agenda.
Key discussions included ASEAN’s connectivity achievements and prospects, with insights from experts such as ASEAN Secretariat Director of Connectivity, Mr Lim Chze Cheen, and European Union Ambassador to Laos, Mr Mark Gallagher.
A key point of discussion at the forum was the evolving challenges facing the media landscape. The Director of the ASEAN Connectivity Division at the ASEAN Secretariat emphasised the rising impact of misinformation, declining trust in traditional media, and economic pressures affecting journalistic integrity.
“With this shift comes the proliferation of misinformation, declining trust in traditional media, and economic pressures that threaten the integrity and independence of journalism,” the Director said.
“This underscores the importance of collaboration between the ASEAN Secretariat and the media in raising awareness, promoting understanding, and addressing misconceptions about the ASEAN integration agenda,” he added.
Executive Director of the Mekong Institute, Mr Suriyan Vichitlekarn, highlighted the critical role of connectivity in ASEAN’s development, focusing on three key aspects, peace and stability, regional self-reliance, and cross-border cooperation.
He emphasised that ASEAN connectivity has evolved over the past three decades, from physical infrastructure to regional economic corridors, and stressed the need to build on this progress to tackle future challenges and unlock economic opportunities.
Another session examined the Mekong sub-region’s development over four decades, featuring contributions from the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights representative of Laos, Ambassador Yong Chanthalangsy, and other regional specialists.
The forum ended with an engaging conversation with the Director General of the ASEAN Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Chatoulong Bouasisavath, who shared Laos’ vision for ASEAN’s future and highlighted the importance of unity and resilience in the region’s ongoing journey.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update November 26, 2024)