SEOUL: The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about huge changes across the world in the most painful ways and the pace of change has accelerated and its range has greatly expanded.
Prime Minister of Republic of Korea, Chung Sye-kyun said, due to the great changes, an era of great transformation with maximised uncertainty has dawned.
“As people’s thirst for the truth becomes more unquenchable, the value of journalism becomes even more invaluable…when the media shed light on the world through truthful communication and balanced perspectives, its role as a mirror and window will truly shine,” Prime Minister, Chung Sye-Kyun said.
The Prime Minister said that in his congratulatory address through an interpreter at the opening session of the World Journalists Conference 2021 held online today (April 19). The international event was organised by the Journalists Association of Korea (JAK) as the host for the two day conference.
The two day conference with the theme, “Prospect of post COVID-19 and the role of journalism on April 19 while “Global climate issues and the role of journalism” that convenes on April 20, 2021 will be participated by 60 journalists from 50 countries from Asia, Asia-Pacific, Africa, America, Europe and the Middle-East.
Meanwhile, the JAK President, Kim Dong Hoon in his opening remarks said, the conference is setting as one of the greatest events for journalists around the world at this time.
“The pandemic has brought sweeping changes across our daily lives. Although we are all going through difficult situations because of the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask you to present your opinions and recommendations actively in the conference so that we can present our dream and hope to humanity and realize our calling as journalists as the conference is a precious opportunity event although held online,” Kim Dong said.
“We all share commonalities even if our country, gender, skin colour and ideologies are different. In fact all journalists are working hard for freedom and peace and disseminate the truth with a warm heart and cold reasoning,” he added.
During the first session, the two speakers from Korea, Asaph Young Chun, Director General, Statistical Research Institute and Kyungil Kim, Professor from Department of Psychology, Ajou University had shared their opinions with 25 journalists including from Malaysia, Norila Daud, Senior Editor of Malaysia World News (MWN) who had presented a paper on “Prospect of post COVID-19 and the role of journalism.
The journalists had discussed and shared their countries’ experiences and insights related to COVID-19 including treatments, vaccination, corruption for vaccination and the preparation of the media after the pandemic.
The JAK was established in 1964 and became the largest journalist organization celebrating its 57th anniversary this year. It has about 11,000 members from 195 media companies nationwide participating and engaging in its activities.
JAK became a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in 1966 with the creed of “reinforcing ties with international journalists and helping each other” as one of the five major creeds. –Malaysia World News
