Forum calls for strengthening voice of nations

JOHANNESBURG — The Sixth BRICS Media Forum opened in South Africa on Saturday, with calls for developing countries to be given a greater voice.

About 200 deputies from around 100 media outlets, think tanks and international organizations from about 30 countries held discussions under the theme of "BRICS and Africa: Strengthening Media Dialogue for a Shared and Unbiased Future".

New China Research, the think tank of China's Xinhua News Agency, issued in Johannesburg the same day the English and French versions of two research reports on Xi Jinping's economic thought and the Communist Party of China's "Second Integration" theory.

The two reports, titled "Toward Modernity: The Value of Xi Jinping's Economic Thought" and "The 'Second Integration' that Transforms China — Theoretical Innovation and Practice in Building the Modern Civilization of the Chinese Nation", were issued by the New China Research at the Sixth BRICS Media Forum in Johannesburg.

A seminar was also held to mark the publication of the two research reports.

Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency and executive chairman of the BRICS Media Forum, said in a keynote speech that the two reports are Xinhua's innovative achievements in the study of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Media outlets of BRICS countries bear significant responsibilities in this era and enjoy vast room for cooperation, said Fu at the opening ceremony of the forum.

Dakota Legoete, a member of the National Executive Committee of the African National Congress, spoke at the opening of the forum. "Since its establishment in 2015, the BRICS Media Forum has become an important platform to enhance the voice of BRICS countries," he said.

Countering disinformation

Andrey Kondrashov, director-general of Russia's TASS news agency, said that over the past decade, the forum has become a distinctive and iconic platform for discussing media cooperation among member states. He called on BRICS media to collaborate in countering disinformation and safeguarding the interests of developing countries.

The Western media depicts Africa as something horrible where war, hunger and disease are rampant, said Elizaveta Brodskaya, first deputy editor-in-chief of Russia Today, adding that stories released by media outlets other than the Western ones are labeled as "disinformation" once they diverge from the Western narrative.

Jose Juan Sanchez, chief of Brazil's financial and agricultural information provider CMA Group, stressed the importance of credible and impartial news information. "Communication among BRICS media is crucial, and the member countries should seek sustainable development in economic, environmental and social areas," he said.

The BRICS Media Forum has made significant contributions in amplifying the international voice of member states and promoting globalization, with peace and cooperation remaining its main goals, said Helio Doyle, president of the Brazil Communication Company.

The diverse cultures of the BRICS nations enrich the global conversation, and the BRICS media advocates an inclusive, cooperative and just new world order, said Iqbal Surve, executive chairman of Independent Media of South Africa.

Xinhua