Surabaya – The 50th meeting of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (ASEAN – COCI) has taken place at the heart of Surabaya, the second largest city of Indonesia, on 9-11 November 2015. A group of delegates from 10 ASEAN member states and the ASEAN secretariat attended the annual meeting to discuss plans and the implementation of projects under the ASEAN cooperation framework.
Dr. Charoon Chaisorn, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Public Relations Department (PRD), in his capacity as head of the Sub-Committee on Information (SCI) Thailand, led PRD officials participating in the meeting. The main agenda involved the reporting of the results and updating on the status of activities and projects, aiming to promote the ASEAN awareness and cooperation in the media and information fields.
The PRD’s efforts in ASEAN awareness promotion has been implemented through mainstream media, such as television, radio, new media (website in both Thai and English), and social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram). Dr. Charoon pointed out that the new media have played an important role in creating the ASEAN awareness and insights into a better understanding of ASEAN.
Another special project, Visit of ASEAN – China Broadcasting Personnel to Thailand, proposed and hosted by Thailand, was significantly successful. The participants from AMS and China were impressed by the very high standards of Thailand’s broadcasting technology, especially immersive graphics used in digital television. The participants have taken the opportunity to exchange experiences and gain insights into media production and broadcasting management.
ASEAN Television News (ATN) is one of the repeated projects implemented by NBT World which has progressed well so far. NBT World broadcasts scoops and news related to Thailand and ASEAN in order to exchange with other ASEAN countries. The topics cover various issues, such as politics, economics, activities, culture, lifestyle, tourism and international affairs.
Furthermore, Radio Thailand also has a new strategy for implementing a project called “VOABB” by changing the format of the radio program. The new plan is to integrate traditional media and increase audience engagement with new media, drawing the attention of people aged 18-30 years. Content consists of infotainment, knowledge about the ASEAN Economic Community, and people-to-people connectivity.
The meeting also followed up on the implementation of Thailand’s ASEAN National Communication Plan, which is in line with the ASEAN Communication Master Plan, aiming to promote a sense of awareness and readiness toward the upcoming ASEAN Economic Community. The plan also focuses on creating a shared community with opportunities and benefits amongst the citizens of ASEAN, as well as working closely as a strong partner of ASEAN in regional cooperation.
