European Union – Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme’s Project Administration Experts, Keith Morgan (right) and Samrah Karon (left), meet with BARMM Cabinet Secretary Mohd Asnin Pendatun (center) during the Information and Media Summit on Oct. 18, 2023, held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang, Davao City. (Morsid Kadir/BIO)
DAVAO CITY—Development partners of the Bangsamoro Government have vowed to provide necessary assistance for the Bangsamoro communicators in achieving fair and just information dissemination during the opening of the Information and Media Summit on October 18, 2023, held at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang.
The European Union – Support to Bangsamoro Transition (SUBATRA) Programme, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), the United Kingdom Government, The Asia Foundation (TAF) – Philippines, and the Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MIJ) are the Bangsamoro Government’s development partners that are jointly working together to support Moral Governance in the region.
USIP’s Haroro Ingram mentioned providing training and advisory support for peace messaging and material support, including office support for future programs that are appropriate to local efforts and campaigns.
“Communication is crucial in a democracy, a free media is essential to democracy,” Ingram said, adding, “This media summit is an essential forum for helping to achieve those objectives, protecting the fundamentals while encouraging what is dynamic and unique about this region.”
He noted managing expectations brought up and down, when necessary, will be crucial for sustaining and advancing peace gaps during the transition period in BARMM.
Keith Morgan, Public Administration Reform Expert Technical Assistant – SUBATRA, said is about finding the best practices and developing strategies to better communicate clear and concise messages to the community.
“In the end, whether government officials, communicators, or a consortium, we all have the same goal, which is working toward a peaceful, prosperous, and resilient Bangsamoro,” Morgan said.
TAF Country Representative Sam Chittick shared their journey in this media landscape, helping not only the BARMM media to become effective communicators but also in the national and across the globe.
“I think it is also worth exploring and trying to unpack the ability of media to be present and tell relevant stories in a meaningful way,” he added.
Moreover, Philippine Coordinator Aliah Adam, Strategic Communication and Capacity Building Program in the Philippines, tackled the essential role of media, the power of storytelling, the impact of information, and the significance of connectivity.
“This summit is more than just a conference; it is a platform for collaboration, innovation, and inspiration. It is a space where we can exchange ideas, challenge the status quo, and shape the future of media,” she stressed. (Kasan Usop, Jr./BIO)
