BRICS media forum ends with action plan

BEIJING - The BRICS Media Forum concluded Thursday after leaders of 27 organizations agreed on an action plan to promote media cooperation.

The forum, themed "Deepening BRICS Media Cooperation, Promoting Fair and Just International Public Opinion," was proposed by Xinhua News Agency and jointly initiated with Brazil's CMA Group, Russia's Sputnik News Agency and Radio, the Hindu Group of India, and South Africa's Independent Media.

The action plan noted that the content, depth and breadth of BRICS media cooperation should be expanded and deepened in accordance to the needs of BRICS nations.

He Ping, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency, said at the closing session the action plan shows BRICS media's determination to shoulder social responsibility and create a fair public opinion environment.

The action plan is sure to help speed up the development of media in BRICS countries, He said.

The participating BRICS media organizations agreed to jointly maintain balanced international public opinion and to jointly strengthen the media's social responsibility, according to the plan.

They also agreed to jointly boost people-to-people ties, expand cooperation fields among BRICS media organizations, develop digital media and provide financial information services.

The participating outlets unanimously agreed to carry out the action plan in the spirit of equity, pragmatism and mutual benefit.

Xinhua will provide 1 million US dollars to establish the BRICS Media Fund for the implementation of the action plan carrying out pragmatic cooperation, including exchanges of visits, professional training and joint interviews.