Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 13 May (BelTA) - In the context of the changing socio-media paradigm caused by the rapid development of information and communication technologies and social networks, mass media should assume special responsibility, become a factor for promoting consolidation and creation, facilitating mutual understanding and cooperation, strengthening mutual respect and friendship between the countries and peoples, reads the resolution of the 11th Belarusian international media forum Partnership For The Future in Minsk, BelTA has learned.

Participants of the media forum stressed the need for close cooperation between sovereign states within the framework of the integration processes in order to effectively counter new threats and challenges, to ensure international security and a just world order, and improve the quality of life of peoples.

“An important factor in achieving these objectives is the creation of a common information and humanitarian space based on the systemic commonality of beliefs, spiritual traditions and values. In the context of globalization, we must preserve our sovereignty, integrate into the global community keeping in mind national interests and our common civilizational platform and taking into account the commonality of our cultural and historical past,” the resolution reads.

Noting that this year will mark the 25th anniversary of the Commonwealth of Independent States and the 20th anniversary of the Union State, participants of the forum confirm the importance of integration in Eurasia.

In the field of information we consider diktat and pressure in an effort to violate the sovereign rights of independent states inadmissible. The media should not become a tool of political manipulation, a tool to fuel conflicts and discord, provoke war and violence,” the document reads.

Minsk played host to the 11th Belarusian international media forum Partnership for the Future on 11 to 14 May. This year’s edition of the forum marked the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Commonwealth of Independent States and stressed Belarus’ peacekeeping role in the current difficult geopolitical situation. The 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Belarus-Russia Union State was another important event celebrated this year.

Partaking in the forum were heads of media companies, political scientists, and experts from the CIS and non-CIS countries. Over 300 specialists from 21 countries took part in the forum.

The program of the international media forum included a plenary session and thematic panel discussions, a journalism summer school with workshops by leading Belarusian and foreign media experts at the Institute of Journalism of Belarusian State University, and a project themed around Belarus’ cultural heritage. The forum participants attended the 20th international expo Mass Media in Belarus which was held in Minsk alongside with the forum.

The Belarusian international media forum provides a platform for exchanging opinions, developing new ideas and promoting the efforts of the international media community and experts from different fields to strengthen partnership, streamline interstate integration processes, and create a single humanitarian space in the CIS. The forum is organized by the Belarusian Information Ministry and the Union State Permanent Committee with the assistance of the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund, the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minsk City Hall, the Minsk Oblast Executive Committee and the Grodno Oblast Executive Committee.