Forum explores media’s global role

CEOs and global media executives gather for a group picture during the four-day Arirang-KF Global Media Forum recently at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Hongeun-dong, central Seoul. [NEWSIS]

CEOs and global media executives gathered at a forum in Seoul yesterday to discuss their roles in bridging the gap in such international issues as cultural diversity, East Asia security, public affairs and economic development.

The Arirang-KF Global Media Forum, a four-day event, was co-hosted by the Korea Foundation and Arirang TV, was held at the Grand Hilton Hotel in Hongeun-dong, central Seoul with about 300 participants.

Among those attending were Kim Woo-sang, president of the Korea Foundation; Sohn Jie-ae, president of Arirang TV; Choe Kwang-shik, minister of culture, sports and tourism; Tetsushi Wakita, head of NHK World of Japan; and Bruce Sherman, director of U.S. Broadcasting Board of Governors. Prime Minister Lee Hong-goo delivered a keynote speech.

“The ubiquity and power of global information networks and rise of people power are driven to a great extent by technological breakthroughs in information and communications,” said Kim of the Korea Foundation in the opening speech. “We want to believe media should function to facilitate compromise and harmony in the international society. I believe the core value of this forum is to share ideas and experiences of media colleagues from different cultures on the important subject of bridging the global divide among all different groups, ideologies and cultures.”

The forum included a CEO roundtable in which participants discussed the roles and missions of global media between national advocacy and the global common good. There were four panel sessions and a special session on sub-themes such as East Asian security, cultural diversity and public diplomacy.

“By discussions with these influential people of global media, we expect we can promote more public interest and provide accurate news information on such issues as global famine, poverty and nuclear issues,” Kim told the Korea JoongAng Daily.

In the CEO Roundtable session that was held following the opening ceremony, the discussion centered around the relationship between government and media and what global media could do to make the world a better place.

The North Korean nuclear tests and rocket launches were discussed as one important aspect of East Asian security, and by the Global Media Panel explored issues of comprehensive human security.

Panel members stated that the global media finds itself reporting more frequently about the region as political tensions in East Asia have grown recently, but must take a look at those reporters and editors from global media to ensure that they are sufficiently educated in the region’s history and the contemporary situation to provide accurate information to the world.

“We expect we can find some common ground over international issues so we can utilize them in communicating with audiences and viewers around the world,” said Sohn Jie-ae, president of Arirang TV.

By Kwon Sang-soo [sakwon80@joongang.co.kr]