BIVAN SALUSEKI
Fuzhou, China
VOICES of developing countries should be heard and recognized, says Independent Online (IOL) South Africa chief executive Viasen Soobramoney.
During the official opening of the 2026 Media Cooperation Forum on Belt and Road in Fuzhou, Fujian Province in China yesterday, Mr Soobramoney said the global south should listen to developing countries.
Mr Soobramoney said the world order in terms of information has changed and the media needs to adapt.
He said there is a disruption in terms of news processes and the traditional media should adjust.
Mr Soobramoney said the media should help audiences understand the forces that are shaping the world order.
He said the media needs to work towards attaining a fair and just order, building bridges and economic cooperation.
Mr Soobramoney said dialogue should replace division while diversity should be respected.
And during the 4th council meeting of the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) meeting in Fuzhou in China yesterday, Mr Soobramoney said a much fairer world requires a diversity of voices, mutual respect and a commitment to ensuring the experiences of developing nations are properly represented in global conversations.
“The BRNN can help advance that goal by strengthening connections between media organisations and creating space for stories that might otherwise remain unheard,” he said.
Mr Soobramoney said for Africa, stronger media cooperation with China offers opportunities to deepen understanding of the respective societies and to tell a fuller story of the partnership.
“African audiences should have access to diverse and informed perspectives on China, just as international audiences should have a better understanding of African innovations, ambitions and enormous potential,” he said.
Mr Soobramoney said media organisations have a special responsibility to tell stories that bring societies together.
He said people-to-people bonds should be at the heart of everything a media does.
“We should create more opportunities for cultural exchanges, journalists visit, youth engagement and collaborative features that introduce our audiences to one another’s histories, traditions, achievements and aspirations.” https://enews.daily-mail.co.zm/welcome/home
