ASEAN/ASIAN NEWS NETWORK (Setting up)

Dr Toh Keng Kiat asked the Minister for Information and the Arts, in view of the habitual negative reporting by western-owned media on our and other ASEAN/Asian governments and leaders, whether the Government will set up an ASEAN/Asian news network either on its own or with other ASEAN/Asian countries.

The Minister of State for Information and the Arts (Dr Ker Sin Tze) (for the Minister for Information and the Arts): Mr Speaker, Sir, I am answering on behalf of the Minister for Information and the Arts.

Cooperation in news exchange among the press in ASEAN and Asian countries already exists. Broadcasting organisations Columnn: 411 in these countries exchange news through the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) which was set up in 1964. This news exchange was stepped up with the establishment of the Asiavision news exchange network in 1984. The Asiavision news exchange has been further enhanced this year with the computerisation of the Asiavision Coordinating Centre in Kuala Lumpur.

News exchanges have also been taking place between the national news agencies of the ASEAN countries.

On the setting up of an ASEAN or Asian news network, the initiative should not come from the Government. The decision is best left to the media professionals themselves in the various countries. I am sure they will take advantage of the growing media market in the region to expand their operations and gradually challenge the Western domination of global news.