Bangkok, (People’s Daily) - Anucha Nakasai, the minister attached to the prime minister’s office of Thailand, chaired the 15th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information in the Government Public Relations Department auditorium, Bangkok on Friday.

The Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Anucha Nakasai, chaired the 15th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) on 12 March 2021. (Photo: Thai Government Public Relations Department)

With the theme "ASEAN: A Digital Community with Accessibility for All,” the virtual meeting promoted and upgraded joint operations in effective communication management by ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member countries.

With Thailand acting as the 2020-2022 AMRI virtual hosts, Anucha raised two communication issues: state media information dissemination and access to television services for people with disabilities.

Firstly, Anucha noted that the establishment of a state media mechanism for issue management should deliver accurate information to ASEAN citizens and include for example exchanges of information on COVID-19 vaccines, travel measures and assistance for ASEAN workers during the pandemic. He urged ASEAN countries to exchange their experiences tackling COVID-19.

Anucha proposed the 10 ASEAN countries develop accurate, transparent, timely information exchange and issue management mechanisms that prevent audiences falling prey to fake news and misinformation.

Secondly, Anucha said, announcers and moderators should deploy more descriptive communication technologies, facilities and skills to facilitate better access to television for people with disabilities. This could be carried out alongside the technological development of television in accordance with the ASEAN framework, he said.

The Thailand representative pressed for the adoption of closed captions, audio description and sign language interpretation that empower vulnerable people, such as persons with disabilities and senior citizens.

Such guidelines would build on ASEAN work for the migration of analog to digital television broadcasting, he noted.

ASEAN member state attendees backed the promotion of digital readiness and skills among citizens with an emphasis in three arenas: accessibility, understanding and participation.

Participants also promoted new products and technologies that contribute to the ASEAN economy.

ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) is a policy-level forum for ministers responsible for information and media services in ASEAN and a part of the ASEAN Social-Cultural Community.

AMRI cooperation has expanded to include China, South Korea and Japan.

Thailand is serving as AMRI chair from 2020 to 2022, with the Public Relations Department the responsible agency.

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, the 15th AMRI was the first-ever virtual conference.

The AMRI conference began in 1989 and is held every two years at ASEAN countries in alphabetical order.