ASEAN forum on handling disinformation on cyberspace held in Da Nang
The Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications held the ASEAN regional forum on tackling disinformation on cyberspace in the central city of Da Nang on September 19, within the framework of the 16th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI).
Da Nang (VNA) – The Vietnamese Ministryof Information and Communications held the ASEAN regional forum on tackling disin𓆏formation on cyberspace in the central city of Da Nangon September 19, withinthe framework of the 16th Conference of ASEANMinisters Responsible for Information (AMRI).
The forum discussed joint efforts by ASEAN countries to combatand address fake news and misinformation, made recommendations on measures to tackle the problem, and share good practice in regional countries and news agencies. It also aimed to promote cooperation in the ASEAN and between governments,localities of ASEAN member countries and social media platforms in the field. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese DeputyMinister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam said since 2017,ASEAN has issued various statements and launched activities to raise publicawareness of the harm of fake news. These include programmes, policy sharingworkshops and campaigns to enhance digital literacy among the public, andfoster mutual learning among electronic information management agencies.
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)
He highlighted that at AMRI-14, the ministers approved a Framework and a JointStatement on mitigating the impact of fake news, providing a common referenceframework for ASEAN member countries to enhance cooperation, share information,and propose feasible solutions to combat the proliferation of fake news whichnegatively affect the interests of ASEAN citizens. In 2022, the 19th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI) officiallyendorsed Vietnam's initiative to establish an ASEAN Special Task Force on FakeNews. However, these activitieshave primarily focused on sharing policies and experience among governmentagencies and have not yet extended to involve media organisations (in theirrole of providing credible information; detecting and correcting fake news) orresearch institutions and media outlets (in their role as independent researchand fact-checking units). Lamsaid the forum aims to create an open space for exchange among governmentagencies, the media, cross-border platforms, and relevant stakeholders. Itunderscores ASEAN's commitment to reducing the harm caused by fake news and promoting ASEAN's common effort to establish a healthy and trustworthyinformation space for its citizens./.
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Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA) 
Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Thanh Lam speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) 
