The government has urged the media to play a greater role in addressing the negative impacts of the global financial crisis. Speaking at a meeting with media representatives at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Thongloun Sisoulith, said the media had an important role in prompting people to fight against the negative impacts of the global economic crisis. The crisis has had negative impacts on the Lao economy, especially in the areas of exports, tourism, government revenue, investment and foreign funded development projects. The government needs cooperation from all sectors, including the media, to address the crisis.
Dr Thongloun said the media had a responsibility to provide the Party, the government, business people and the public with information about the global financial crisis, its negative impacts on the Lao economy and possible solutions to economic problems. But Dr Thongloun was quick to insist that the information should merely urge people be on the alert, rather than making them feel afraid of the situation, which could exacerbate problems. He said the media should also inspire entrepreneurs and workers to help each other during the crisis, adding that if cooperation breaks down, it could lead to the collapse of businesses and lay-offs among the labour force. He said the government hoped not to see mass lay-offs as it would lead to many problems. The government plans to support entrepreneurs in their efforts to overcome the crisis. Dr Thongloun said he wanted the media to encourage careful spending, adding that if Lao people were thrifty funds would remain available to develop the economy. The government has also introduced a prime ministerial decree against lavish spending.
He said the media should use different methods to deliver information. For example, TV and radio channels could host talk-shows, inviting economic experts to discuss preventative measures and methods to address the economic crisis.
He also said journalists should study the issues before asking questions of economic experts, adding that many reporters did not know how to ask appropriate questions, which made the debate less interesting for audiences. Dr Thongloun advised journalists to write more profiles on outstanding business people who have shown innovation in coping with the crisis. Songs and poems should also used as a means to encourage people to take action in the face of the difficult economic times.
Dr Thongloun said a media coordinating body would be set up, to help the media gain access to more information.
Having read this article, I feel uncomfortable to comment on it. Last time there was a good excuse, people working in Lao mass media used to complain that they had no media law to guarantee their right. So they were afraid to do something different other than what government body told them to write.
Now that the media law is on table, however, there is nothing changed compared to when we had no law. Alas, what is a real problem about this issue?
It goes without saying that our leaders expect to read Lao news like news from abroad. However, I myself don't expect that any time soon. Why?
It's all about professionalism. In other countries they can do because their reporters are specialists. They have reporters in every field: politic reporters, economic reporters, sport reporters, social reporters and so on.
On the contrary, whole country has no one journalist college to produce good reporters. What did our reporters do last time? Just repeat what Lao government authorities told them, and no more no less.
To get good reporters like foreign reporters, Lao government has to invest on their education, but not just want to have.
As Lao proverb saying:"Bib khee Pen Nam Manh Bor Dai Lae Nor"
