Multi-culturalism is crucial for world peace and has been adopted by ABU for broadcasting in Asia and the Pacific."
Nusa Dua (ANTARA Nesa) - The Bali Declaration on Broadcasting For All: Multiculturalism And Diversity has adopted Indonesias slogan of Unity in Diversity.

The Bali Declaration was issued in Nusa Dua by the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), in its 53rd General Assembly in Bali, on October 24.

"Multi-culturalism is crucial for world peace and has been adopted by ABU for broadcasting in Asia and the Pacific," Mohammad Rohanudin, President Director of Indonesian state-owned radio station RRI, said, here on Wednesday.

Indonesia has successfully presented its Unity in Diversity concept which is also needed for pluralistic contents to promote peace amid global issues such as conflicts, poverty, and social and political problems.

The Bali Declaration considers and recognizes that broadcasters have a responsibility to provide audiences of the Asia-Pacific with knowledge and information on how to improve peoples lives.

It also appeals to ABU members to devote substantial and increased radio and television broadcast airtime during both peak and shoulder periods, and to utilize the media to celebrate and embrace all forms of multi-culturalism and diversity.

In the meantime, Indonesian Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara, in his opening remarks on Monday, said that broadcasters have a mission to deliver "the right content" to the audience.

He added that he was aware of the various challenges broadcasters were facing in the Asia-Pacific region due to digitalization and social media.

Indonesia has a population of 254 million people, 300 ethnic groups speaking 740 languages, and 17,000 islands.

The minister pointed out that it was a huge task for Indonesia to manage 1,000 licensed broadcasters throughout the country. More importantly, the minister said he has the responsibility to use all available resources to meet the challenges of the broadcasting industry, when the public remains the priority.

The ABU General Assembly, with 700 delegates from Asian and Pacific countries, adopted the Bali Declaration as follows:

1. ABU members devote substantial and increased radio and television broadcast airtime during both peak and shoulder periods and utilize the media to celebrate and embrace all forms of multi-culturalism and diversity.

2. ABU members make an effort to work alongside other stakeholders and consult national and local governmental institutions, NGOs and the civil societies to enhance their capacity and resources to produce research-driven programming. They also aim to evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of their efforts, so that their contributions to the cultural and economic diversity can be improved.

3. Minorities are an important component of any society and their level of participation, involvement and portrayal should be adequately catered to have a socially cohesive force.

4. ABU members reiterate their 2014 Macau Commitment to reflect the audience diversity in their employment policy by providing equal employment opportunities to women, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities and members of different cultures and deliver content which reflects the diversity of the society.

5. Broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific regions should, in particular, avoid negative stereotyping, unrealistic portrayal of society and negative images of minorities.

6. ABU members further recognize their role as broadcasters to improve the lives of people throughout the region with knowledge and information as stated in the 2012 Seoul Declaration.

7. ABU members will review their commitment at ABUs 2017 General Assembly.
(Uu.F001/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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