City set for biggest BRICS Media Forum
MEDIA heads from five major emerging economies will convene in the Cape for the third Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) Media Forum tomorrow.
This year South Africa has been tasked with co-hosting the forum with China, with 120 delegates from key media houses in the alliance and from other African countries.
The two-day event will be held at the Westin Hotel on the Foreshore. It is set to be the largest BRICS media forum yet.
BRICS Business Council chairman and co-host of the Media Forum Dr Iqbal Survé will co-host with the president of China’s Xinhua News Agency, Cai Mingzhao.
Guest speakers include Minister of Communication Nomvula Mokanyane and the deputy head of the publicity department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, Wang Xiaohui.
This year’s theme is “BRICS Media Co-operation – Fostering an Inclusive, Just World Order”.
Other topics which will be discussed include strengthening the BRICS narrative, media’s role and responsibility, and imagining a shared global future forged by constructive and development journalism.
Seeking ways to enhance co-operation among the new media in BRICS countries will also be discussed.
Survé said the role of BRICS and the BRICS Business Council in carving out a better future for almost half the world should not be underestimated and the media had an opportunity to be part of the journey.
“We cannot emphasise enough how important the media is in changing the narrative of the work BRICS countries are doing.
“There are stories that need to be told, of how alliances and partnerships are being forged to invest across borders, not only in BRICS, but also into Africa.
“Stories of how building a road, a bridge or a railway line can change the destiny of people. It creates opportunities for foreign direct investments, which in turn translate into jobs. Reporting on these developments in an unbiased, factual way can help change the way we are viewed,” said Survé.
The public is invited to a joint photographic exhibition at the Cape Town International Convention Centre to view more than 120 images that resonate with the conference theme.
The exhibition will be open to the public on Wednesday from 12 noon.