On November 26th, the 2020 Belt and Road Journalists Forum was held in Beijing via video. More than 120 heads of journalist organizations from over 60 countries and regions had in-depth exchanges around the theme of “Strengthening solidarity and cooperation to build a shared future- journalism exchange in the post Covid-19 era”. Xu Lin, Deputy Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the State Council Information Office delivered a video speech.
In his speech, Xu Lin said that in the great fight against the pandemic, journalists all over the world, despite difficulties and dangers, witnessed the efforts and persistence of people of all countries in fighting the virus, recorded mutual trust and friendship of countries, and spread the courage and determination of human society to overcome hardships. BRJN has brought together confidence and strength of the press of different countries to unite and fight against Covid-19 and become a bridge for solidarity and cooperation among journalist organizations. It is expected that journalist organizations of various countries will continue to adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits to jointly promote the institutionalization of the Network, deepen exchanges and communication, promote pragmatic cooperation, enhance understanding and mutual trust, convey confidence in economic recovery and development with more good reports and stories, and strengthen people’s determination to move forward.
Lidia Fagale, president of the Union of Journalists of Buenos Aires and the first chairwoman of BRJN, said that despite the pandemic, BRJN has done a lot of fruitful work in the past year, and played a positive role in organizing members to fight the virus, disseminate true information and confront rumors and stigmatization, showing strong cohesion of the BRJN and great potential for future development. We will cherish the achievements and experience gained, continue to work together to promote further development of the Network, and constantly consolidate unity, friendship and cooperation among the press of BRI countries and regions.
Heads of journalist organizations such as the Federation of African Journalists, the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association (AMEJA), the Latin American Federation of Journalists, the Russian Union of Journalists, Indonesian Journalists Association and Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists addressed the Forum. It was agreed that in the face of Covid-19 outbreak and recurrence, BRJN members have strengthened information communication, provided mutual support and assistance, firmly followed professionalism and spread rational voice, which vividly demonstrate the Silk Road spirit and the concept of a community of shared future for mankind. The BRJN, since inception, has been promoting the Silk Road spirit of “peace and cooperation, openness and inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefit and win-win results”, and deepening exchanges and cooperation with journalist organizations in the countries and regions involved in the BRI. BRJN has taken solid steps in building platform mechanism and made positive progress in various endeavors. In the future, the presidium and members will continue to promote and strengthen exchanges and cooperation in the post pandemic era and facilitate the implementation of more practical cooperation projects.
The Forum released the Joint Statement of the Belt and Road Journalists Network (2020) and called on member organizations to strengthen unity, keep in close communication, guide the media and journalists to proactively communicate and amplify the objective, rational and scientific voice, resolutely oppose discrimination and stigmatization, uphold multilateralism and continuously improve the BRJN cooperation mechanism to promote common development of all member organizations.