News      |      Events

JAKARTA STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

PREAMBLE

We, the participants at the inaugural ABU Media Summit on Climate Change, ICTs and Disaster Risk Reduction held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on the 5th and 6th June, 2014, make this affirmation of commit- ment to its goals and outcomes for the effective use of broadcasting and ICT technologies to deliver information in addressing environmental issues and climate change, to take a leading role in saving lives and livelihoods making use of early warnings, rescue and humanitarian work in times of emergencies and in mitigation efforts to support disaster risk reduction.

While thanking the organisers of the Summit, the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Indonesia, and all supporting partners, we acknowl- edge the timely gathering of such a high-level forum of representatives of national broadcasting organi- sations, international agencies, civil society bodies and other authorities to form a broad network for future joint actions.

We recognise the previous and on-going activities of the ABU and its members, supported by interna- tional organisations. Further, we recognise that the media have a crucial role in informing, educating, enlightening and empowering the public to face the impacts of climate changes, as well as mitigating disaster risks and producing more inspiring news stories that arouse the spirits of affected people.

COMMITMENT

In keeping with the outcomes of the inaugural ABU Media Summit on Climate Change, ICTs and Disaster Risk Reduction and previous conferences, workshops and other events we therefore call upon all broad- cast media stakeholders, especially journalists and program makers in the Asia-Pacific region to act to:

• Ensure that the media, especially broadcasting, are more comprehensively prepared to deliver life-sav- ing information and support in times of emergency and disaster.

• Further strengthen broadcasting and professional organisations to collaborate to optimise the quality and relevance of programming and reporting on climate change and disaster risk reduction.

• Develop further programs of audio-visual content on the immediate and long-term effects of climate change and disasters.

• Continue to raise professional skills amongst ABU member broadcasting organisations to better report on relevant issues through the introduction of more comprehensive training programs and related initiatives.

• Enhance news management by capitalising on the roles of ICT-based early warning systems, push the role of volunteer networks in disseminating news on climate change and disaster risk reduction, set up cooperation forums among media in an effort to improve media competence in the coverage of climate change and disaster risk reduction, and remind all relevant parties about the need to abide by the standard operating procedures (SOP) on the safety of journalists reporting on climate change and disasters.

• Encourage the roles of social media, citizen journalism and community media (networked, local and regional radio and TV stations) in disseminating information about climate change and disaster risk reduction in a responsible manner.

JAKARTA STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT

Jakarta, Indonesia, 6 June 2014