CICA Forum in Baku: Building trust through media in a polarized world
A panel session on “The role of media in fostering mutual trust and ways to strengthen media cooperation among CICA member states” was held in Baku as part of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), under the theme “Building trust through media in a polarized world”.
According to AZERTAC, speaking at a session moderated by ADA University lecturer Shafag Mehraliyeva, Pakistan’s Minister of State for Federal Education and Professional Training Wajiha Qamar noted that in today’s world of deepening polarization, the media plays a key role in strengthening mutual understanding and trust between societies.
Kobuljon Akhmedov, Director of the Media Content Preparation Center for Mass Media under the Administration of the President of Uzbekistan, stated that there should be more relevant meetings in this field and that the role of media organizations must be specifically recognized. Media structures are a highly important tool, both in terms of political events and in conveying information to the audience about the history people live in, the culture they carry, the education they receive, the traditions they create and preserve, as well as joint projects and achievements.
He said countries must establish professional cooperation, involving media experts. Concurrently, joint informational and cultural projects should be implemented.
The session proceeded with discussions on the topic, after which the Media Forum concluded.
The First CICA Media Forum brought together representatives of member states’ governments, heads of state bodies responsible for media and communications, media managers, and other specialists. The forum is significant for exchanging approaches and experiences and for discussing opportunities for cooperation that strengthen mutual trust in the region.
G. Khonnazarov, UzA
