Strengthening Media in Promoting Peace and Disarmament

A Regional Workshop for East and Southeast Asia on “Strengthen the Capacity of the Media in Advocating and Promoting Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific” was held jointly by the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific and the Department of Arm Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China on 20-21 January, 2011. This was the first UN meeting in the recent years focusing on the media’s role in advocating and promoting disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation. This workshop is aimed at further increasing the knowledge and expertise of media in disarmament and non-proliferation and at finding ways to enhance partnership among the United Nations, international organisations, and individuals working on disarmament-related issues in the media.

Participants of the Regional Workshop for East and Southeast Asia on “Strengthen the Capacity of the Media in Advocating and Promoting Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific”

Mr. Sergio Duarte, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, asked: "Why focus on media, when it is widely recognised that key disarmament decisions are made by sovereign states? The answer lies in the unique role played by the media in shaping the wider relationship between government and society- roles that will certainly have implication for the future of disarmament efforts".

The media offer governments a source of information about people's expectations, as conveyed in news reporting and commentaries. They also supply information that educates people about the world around them-information that helps the public to shape its own expectations about government policies, priorities and agendas. The media also offer a means to maintain some accountability in the achievement of public policies, through their reporting of both progress and setbacks in pursuing declared goals.

Arms control and disarmament bear on international and regional peace, security and stability as well as the interest and well-being of people of all countries. According to Mr. Cheng Jingye, the Director- General of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, “There are three important issues. Firstly, the complete prohibition and thorough destruction of nuclear weapons are the common aspiration of the international community. Secondly, the consolidation and strengthening of the international non-proliferation regime is an important pillar of international and regional peace and stability. Thirdly, the negotiation and conclusion of a new international legal instrument is the best way to maintain permanent peace and security in outer space”.

Mr. Sergio Duarte, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs and Mr. Cheng Jingye, the Director- General of the Department of Arms Control and Disarmament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China

Mr. Cheng aded that in the field of international arms control and disarmament the media are not only the reporter, but also its important participant and promoter.  The timely reports are essential to provide the public with a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the current situation and important issues in this field. The journalists’ work facilitates communication and mutual understanding between government and people and thereby promote the international arms control and non-proliferation process.

Dr. Hiro Ueki, Chief of Programme Support Section, Department of Public Information, UN said, the media can influence the peace and disarmament process in many ways. What is important is for the media to have a good understanding of the complex factors affecting the peace and disarmament processes and present them in a proper context and offer careful analysis. The mass media continues to play an important role in disseminating knowledge on peace an disarmament.

60 participants, who are experts and media practitioners from 11 countries, contributed their ideas and discussed the following issues: current perspectives on disarmament and non-proliferation challenges, the possible steps to better advocate and promote disarmament and non-proliferation among others./.