BANGKOK, 3 June 2013 (NNT) – The opening ceremony for the 65th World Newspaper Congress, the 20th World Editors Forum and the 23rd World Newspaper Advertising Forum took place at Central World on the 3rd of June 2013, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Kittiratt Na Ranong as the chair.
Following an extravagant opening performance, Mr. Pichai Chuensuksawadi, Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), welcomed over 1,500 delegates from over 66 countries to the land of smiles. The delegates have come together to discuss and attend forums concerning modern-day journalism.
Mr. Jacob Mathew, the President of WAN-IFRA stated in his opening address that Thailand has become a leading center for robust journalism, from political restructuring and its independent non-colonized history, which has shaped its very own style of journalist identity into what is considered a high press freedom index. Mr. Matthew believes Thailand has been a dynamic part of the evolution process of journalism in Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong stated in his speech that the Thai government aims to promote freedom of the press. To achieve the goal, one of the issues that must be taken into account is the challenge of new technology due to the rise of digital media, internet, satellite, and other new media. Mr. Kittiratt said Thailand is considered a very active new media user; however, newspapers have also remained the most popular local medium in informing news to all, including rural citizens and the underprivileged.
Another issue to be considered is freedom of the press for democracy. Mr. Kittiratt raised Myanmar as an example of a country with a modern form of press evolution, amid its transition to democracy before the eyes of the world. The deputy premier stated that the Thai government looks forward to learning new ideas presented by the speakers participating in this year’s forums.
