Kuala lumpur: The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information Working Group on Information, Media and Training (SOMRI WG-IMT) commenced today at a local hotel, bringing together senior representatives from ASEAN Member States. The meeting aims to strengthen regional cooperation in information sharing, promote responsible media practices, and protect citizens from harmful content.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa highlighted the working group’s crucial role in advancing ASEAN’s information and media agenda. He emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe and inclusive digital environment for all. Mohamad Fauzi noted that the group is tasked with protecting vulnerable citizens from harmful online content, designing training programs to enhance technical and regulatory capacity, and promoting greater accessibility to information and ICT throughout ASEAN.
The meeting will focus on several key issues, including updates on the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Information and Media 2016-2025, which is nearing its conclusion. Delegates will receive national reports from Member States under the WG-IMT’s priority areas, providing insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by each country. Discussions will also cover emerging developments such as generative artificial intelligence, synthetic media, and the use of behavioral science in communication strategies, which have significant implications for information creation, consumption, and trust.
Mohamad Fauzi addressed the urgency of ensuring ASEAN’s frameworks remain relevant and adaptive, citing delays in cooperation from global platforms, resource constraints, and the increasing sophistication of AI-generated false content. He referred to the outcomes of the 4th ASEAN Task Force on Fake News, emphasizing ASEAN’s collective determination to counter disinformation with initiatives like Brunei’s WASPADA.bn fact-checking platform, Cambodia’s ‘Say No to Fake News’ campaign, and Malaysia’s MyCheck Malaysia.
He called for ASEAN to reaffirm its role in advancing information, media, and training as a foundation for regional integration, suggesting that strengthened collaboration could foster trust, resilience, and a shared identity across the bloc. Mohamad Fauzi also welcomed delegates to Kuala Lumpur, encouraging them to explore the city beyond formal sessions.
The meeting builds on the outcomes from the 17th ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and the 22nd SOMRI, which reaffirmed the region’s commitment to strengthening digital literacy, promoting responsible media use, and safeguarding information integrity. Malaysia’s delegation includes representatives from the Ministry of Communications, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), and the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama).