Forum debates role of media in open world economy

Media heads from China and overseas shared their opinions on the role of the media in an open world economy during the Hongqiao International Business Media & Think Tank Forum, which was held on the first day of the China International Import Expo.

Huang Kunming, head of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, delivered the opening remarks at the forum, which drew more than 600 participants from around the world.

Tsuneo Kita, chairman and group CEO of Nikkei Inc, which runs The Nikkei, the world’s largest financial newspaper with a daily circulation exceeding 3 million, said that the business media should shoulder the responsibility of eradicating information asymmetry and monopoly. They should be deeply committed to providing objective as well as valuable information to their readers. With Asia, particularly China, playing an ever-growing role in the world economy, he urged the Chinese government to further open its doors to overseas media outlets.

John Micklethwait, editor-in-chief of Bloomberg, a global leader in financial news and data, said it is important to explain, through news and data, and help people understand what they stand to gain or lose. He also suggested that China take the lead in promoting free trade. As an experienced journalist, he placed extreme emphasis on details, something he called “the friend of the truth”, which helped “add some color to a painting”.

Shen Haixiong, president of China Media Group, the state radio and television broadcaster, told the forum the media are poised to play a variety of roles as part of their contribution to promote economic globalization and maintain a level playing field.

According to Shen it is the media’s responsibility to help maintain an open economic system, to communicate between various cultures and civilizations and to deliver the message from emerging markets. The media should also listen patiently to some “small voices”, show respect for all and to serve as a bridge and forge a close bond between different parties.

Former French prime minister Dominique de Villepin, one of the forum’s keynote speakers, said that partnerships between different regions of the world is critical under the current open economy environment.