The Prime Ministers deliberated on various issues of common interest to the ASEAN region pertaining to information. At the conclusion of their Conference the Ministers:
9.1. reaffirmed their desire to enhance ASEAN Press Cooperation and Interpersonal Media, as well as the principles of ASEAN Cooperation in the areas of Radio, TV, Film and Video agreed upon at the First Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information held in Jakarta from 21 to 25 May 1989. They reviewed developments in Information which have affected the ASEAN region and discussed areas of mutual concern.
9.2. called for an enlightened and dynamic approach to the management of Information which would help to reinforce the new directions of ASEAN Cooperation affirmed at the 24th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting in Kuala Lumpur. The Ministers expressed confidence that the future held tremendous promise for the fast developing economies of ASEAN. Recognising that ASEAN has matured significantly, they observed that there is a need to further enhance ASEAN's regional and internatio- nal im age and to promote ASEAN as, a stable prosperous region. This awareness and appreciation of ASEAN 's strength must be nurtured in line with the development of ASEAN's political and economic cohesiveness.
9.3 agreed that :
(i) ASEAN member countries should encourage a freer and more balanced flow of information to facilitate the effective marketing of ASEAN within the region and internationally. Member countries should work towards eradicating existing impediments to achieve this objective;
(ii) action be taken to actively promote ASEAN's image internationally through planned programmes and activities such as film festivals, exhibitions, cultural performances and publications on relevant matters of common interest;
(iii) steps be taken towards promoting and better understanding of the values and sensitivities of the ASEAN peoples by the foreign media. In view of the concern over the continuing imbalance and biased reporting by some quarters of the foreign media, member countries should share their experience in overcoming this problem.
9.4. noted the -advances in Information Technology have profound long-term implications. Whilst many of these technological advances hold the promise of enhancing the ,disseminationof Information, there are nonetheless areas of concern. Member countries should harness these resources to communicate ASEAN's ideals and achievements more effectively within the region and internationally. Towards this end, new ways to strengthen information networking within and outside the region should also explore ways of studying and sharing experiences in coping with the impact of this technology on the indigenous traditions, cultures and values of ASEAN.
9.5. agreed that member countries should implement suitable programmes of ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information consistent with the agreed principles in cooperation arrived at the First Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information in Jakarta.
9.6. in recognition of the fact that some aspects of these agreed principles on cooperation can be implemented by member countries on a bilateral basis, agreed that such arrangements should be encouraged to enhance and to complement ASEAN cooperation.
