SOMRI WG-IMT Vital For Advancing ASEAN's Information, Media Agenda - Mohamad Fauzi
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 6 (Bernama) -- The 10th Meeting of the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information Working Group on Information, Media and Training (SOMRI WG-IMT) commenced at a hotel here today.
The two-day meeting brings together senior representatives from ASEAN Member States to strengthen regional cooperation in information sharing, responsible media practices and protecting citizens from harmful content.
In his opening remarks, Communications Ministry secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamad Fauzi Md Isa noted that the working group’s role is crucial in advancing ASEAN’s information and media agenda, particularly in ensuring the digital environment remains safe and inclusive for all.
“Equally important, we are tasked with protecting our most vulnerable citizens from harmful content online. We are also mandated to design training programmes that enhance technical and regulatory capacity, and to promote greater accessibility to information and ICT (Information and communications technology) so that no community in ASEAN is left behind,” he said.
Mohamad Fauzi said the 10th meeting would focus on several substantive matters, including updates on the ASEAN Strategic Plan for Information and Media 2016–2025, which is nearing its conclusion.
“We will also receive national reports from Member States under the WG-IMT’s priority areas, which will provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by our respective countries,” he said.
He added that delegates would also deliberate on emerging developments such as the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the spread of synthetic media and the use of behavioural science in communication strategies.
"These are the contemporary developments which have profound implications for how information is created, consumed and trusted across our societies," Mohamad Fauzi said.
He noted that delays in cooperation from global platforms, resource constraints and the increasing sophistication of AI-generated false content had stressed the urgency of ensuring ASEAN’s frameworks remain relevant, adaptive and forward-looking.
Referring to the outcomes of the 4th ASEAN Task Force on Fake News held in August, he said the meeting underscored ASEAN’s collective determination to counter disinformation.
“We were encouraged to see concrete initiatives like Brunei’s WASPADA.bn fact-checking platform, Cambodia’s ‘Say No to Fake News’ campaign, Indonesia’s national digital literacy drive, and Malaysia’s own efforts through MyCheck Malaysia. Yet, we also recognise that challenges remain,” he said.
Mohamad Fauzi emphasised the urgency of ensuring ASEAN's frameworks remain relevant, adaptive, and forward-looking, citing delays in global platform cooperation, stretched resources and the rapidly increasing sophistication of AI-generated false content.
He called for ASEAN to reaffirm its role in advancing information, media and training as a foundation for regional integration, adding that by strengthening collaboration in these areas, the bloc could do more than just exchange information.
"We foster trust, nurture resilience and build a shared identity that brings ASEAN closer together," he said.
He also welcomed delegates to Kuala Lumpur, expressing his hope that they would find time beyond the formal sessions to explore a city where tradition and modernity converge, skyscrapers stand alongside cultural landmarks and diverse cuisines and cultures blend in harmony.
The meeting also builds upon 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).
-- BERNAMA
