The Status Quo and Problems

1.The world media is currently dominated by mainly western-oriented or pro-western outlets. The bulk of the news and reports in world media and websites comes from western news agencies. However, their coverage of Eastern Asia always focuses on western interests as seen through western values, or on natural disasters and accidents in Eastern Asia. They say little about the development and cooperation in East Asia, or about local values and local culture. But East Asia has to rely on western resources because the local media industry does not have the resources to supply complete information. Therefore, the Eastern Asia media is very reliant on western reports - and because of this dependence on western information, the coverage on neighboring countries and East Asia is always inadequate.

2. East Asia is known as a “museum of ethnic people” and a “museum of religions”. East Asia is renowned for the high diversity and multiform of its culture and religion. With so many countries, ethnic peoples, languages and religions in one area, there is a high possibility of confrontation in terms of ideology. Even regional cultures are subject to this kind of separation, exclusion and confrontation - factors that can hinder economic cooperation in East Asia.

Proposals

First, the media should take an active role to facilitate regional cooperation during the process of regionalization in East Asia.

In the process of regional economic integration so far, the media has played an indispensable and important role - and the media continues to have a unique role to play. Here, I want to underline the social responsibilities of media. I think the media should shoulder the responsibility for the development of the East Asian community since we need our own voices, and our own sources of information to promote regional development and cooperation. The media has always been seen as the bridge and a tie for regional integration. Therefore, the media in East Asia should give major coverage to regional economic development and cooperation. Reports on the cooperation with neighboring countries in the fields of economics, finance and culture should be highlighted.

Second, media in should actively shape a sense of regional identity, and showcase the successes of the Eastern Asia model.

Economic ties connect East Asia, and they are the basis for shaping a new sense of regional identity. In recent years, an enhanced sense of independence, stronger regional awareness and Asian values have greatly accelerated the course of East Asian economic cooperation. Asia cannot just copy western models. Asia should develop its economy, politics and culture in its own way, according to its own practices - and media coverage should reflect this.

Third, the media should cut back on hostile reports about neighboring countries. Only balanced reporting can strengthen mutual understanding.

With the major objective being to promote economic efficiency, regional economic cooperation and common development aims should achieve win-win solutions for all countries concerned. But without doubt to achieve this we must put cultural elitism and suspicions aside. Openness and tolerance is needed to nurture understanding and trust. So the media should back away from gratuitous hostility and look for the kind of balanced reporting that enhances public debate and strengthen mutual understanding between different cultures, religions and values.

Since many countries and regions in East Asia have enjoyed economic success through adopting an open market-oriented economy, they are also shaping a more “open culture”. With the characteristics of a flexible learning culture these areas now provide a platform for regional economy and culture cooperation. To promote further openness and the integration of regional culture, and to achieve coexistence of the many cultures of the area are the major tasks for the media in East Asia in the 21st century.

Forth, to this end we must strengthen communication among the various East Asia media outlets, and establish mechanisms for the sharing of resources including personnel and information.