BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei Darussalam -- The Philippines rallied the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to collaborate in the promotion of media and information literacy and public access to information during a meeting in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam, on Tuesday, August 8.

The Philippines submitted two proposals titled “ASEAN Forum on Raising Media and Information Literacy (MIL) in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” and “ASEAN Symposium on Enhancing Public Access to Information” at the 24th Meeting of the Sub-Committee on Information of the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) hosted by Brunei Darussalam.

Director-General Jose Torres Jr. of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), who led the Philippine delegation to the meeting, said “ASEAN’s push for maximizing the use of information and communication technology should be complemented with capacitating our people with the right knowledge and skills on its use.”

This MIL project aims to convene representatives from the government, academe, and media of ASEAN member states to discuss issues and challenges to the promotion of MIL brought about by "an information landscape that is increasingly being driven by artificial intelligence."

Assistant Secretary Evangeline de Leon of the Presidential Communications Office presented the proposed symposium on enhancing access to information.

The "Symposium on Enhancing Public Access to Information" will serve as a venue for ASEAN member states to exchange knowledge, best practices, challenges, and experiences in promoting the fundamental human right to access to information.

The two project proposals by the Philippines will be endorsed to the ASEAN COCI, which will meet in October this year. If approved, these projects will be implemented by the Philippines in the second half of 2024 with funding from the ASEAN Cultural Fund.

The meeting of Tuesday also considered six new project proposals from other ASEAN member states.

The SCI meets annually to recommend projects that address ASEAN regional issues and concerns. It also handles the implementation of all projects of the ASEAN information sector.

The Philippine delegation to the 24th SCI was composed of representatives from the PIA, the PCO, and the People’s Television Network. (PIA)