Asia has emerged as promising region for media business: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Asia had emerged as one of the promising regions for media business, especially the broadcasting sector and international cooperation.

Modi’s message to the two-day Asia Media Summit which concluded in New Delhi on Friday was read out by Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) director Chang Jin.

Currently, the prime minister is in Nepal on a two-day visit to the country.

For the first time, India hosted the annual AIBD Summit with the theme “Telling Our Stories - Asia and More”. 

"Prime Minister Modi points out that our region has emerged as one of the promising regions for media business, especially the broadcasting sector. The opportunities for international cooperation range from technology partnership to sharing of successful strategies for inclusive communications and our eventual aim shall be to deepen the media and democratic space in the region," Chang Jin said in his closing remarks, referring to Modi's message.         

He said Modi also noted that the "noble aim" of the event was to give voice to the poor population in the region.        

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, addressing the closing session, said that it was time for Asia to "shape" its own stories of human struggle against all odds, to brighten its future.        

“For far too long, the western countries have shaped the stories of Asia and I think now it's time for Asia to shape its own stories, real stories, the stories of emotions, successes, struggles but eventually the stories of human ability to conquer difficulties and move ahead,” he said.

Rathore said the summit talks would help in exchanging the best practices across the nations on media technology, content and new platforms. 

“This would facilitate better regional cooperation in reaching out to millions of underprivileged Asians to utilise the information in best way for their development,” he said.

Rathore then presented the World Television Awards 2018 at the event.

(With inputs from agencies)