Media leaders hope high for BRNN

Beijing, April 24 (People’s Daily Online) -- On April 23, the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) First Council Meeting kicked off in Beijing. Media leaders from China and abroad spoke highly of the BRNN, noting that the platform is a highly relevant one, which is anticipated to raise the cooperation among international media outlets to a higher level.

Teaming up for closer ties

As BRNN held its first Council Meeting, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter, praising the constructive role that media plays in BRI development and hoping Council members forge closer ties in communication and cooperation.

Iqbal Survé, Executive Chairman of South Africa’s Independent Media applauded efforts made by People’s Daily for hosting the inaugural meeting of the BRNN Council, which he said was a very important step towards cooperation among various media organization, supporting the people-to-people exchanges in various countries, particularly media cooperation.

“We work in each country, and we don’t communicate a lot. Here we can be together for communication. I’m watching to know what my friends are doing in their countries and what we can do together,” Fabian Frydman, Deputy General Director of Frence newspaper La Provence, told People’s Daily Online.

Sarmad Ali, President of Pakistan’s Jang Media Group and GEO Television Network said the founding of BRNN was “long overdue”. “It’s about time for the media of the BRI countries to come together to communicate with each other and then we will be able to build our connectivity,” he added.

Exploring new paths

The Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) First Council Meeting (Photo/People's Daily Online)

Against the backdrop of digital information era, BRNN is anticipated to be a healthy boost for media sector to cope with surging challenges and explore new development models.

“We all have same challenges in our media family, such as fake news and new technologies. We have to cooperate more with each other,” noted Mikhail Gusman, First Deputy Director General of Russian News Agency TASS.

According to Survé, it is important to expand information exchange and multi-lateral cooperation under the mechanism of BRNN, especially in areas of new media, television, and economic news reporting, thus building a fairer and more just international communication order.

In regards to exploring new cooperative path, Jacqueline Lampe, CEO of RNW Media from the Netherlands, put forward the idea of establishing a “Belt and Road Scholarship” for young media professionals, which she thought would contribute to and benefit from BRNN.

“It’s all about digital media and traditional media amplifying all the voices of young people about what their interests are and how BRI can meet their needs,” she told the reporter.

Reinforcing lasting friendship

Media leaders take a group photo at the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) First Council Meeting (People's Daily Online/Weng Qiyu)

In his congratulatory letter, President Xi emphasized that “the Belt and Road was initiated by China, but the opportunities and fruitful results belong to the world.”

The BRNN is expected to help strengthen the friendship among the Belt and Road participating countries.

According to Survé, China plays a very important role in helping South Africa, and Africa as a whole, in improving the life of African people and in the communication between the two peoples. BRNN, as a platform of “sharing stories, ideas and aspirations about the future, could demystify what is secretive”.

“President Xi speaks about ‘openness’, and I think through this media cooperation, we can share our thoughts and ideas, so we can plan for a better future,” he added.

Ali reckoned that the BRI started from China, but today it’s not only a Chinese initiative. It also belongs to the world. He expressed his anticipation that the partnership between Pakistan and China could further be deepened through BRNN.

“Pakistan and China has over 70 years of relationship. We value our friendship with China. Normally we say that it’s deeper than the seas and taller than the Himalayas,” said Ali.