News and Notes: 19 November 2007

ASEAN Media Industries Get a Boost

The media industries of ASEAN countries received a boost on Friday with the announcement of a new web portal.

Called the ASEAN Media Portal, the site will provide a wide range of information related to ASEAN tourism and culture as well as highlight media content from its 10 ASEAN member states.

The ASEAN Media Portal will feature:

• new and archived multimedia clips on news, documentaries, heritage and tourism information;
  
• a media directory of ASEAN broadcasters and producers;
  
• a catalogue of commercial media content (encompassing TV, film, animation and games);
  
• trailers of commercial media content.

Getting the ASEAN Media Portal off the ground is a specially commissioned interactive game, ASEAN's Next Top Chef. Visitors to the portal can also preview the trailers of two brand new ASEAN-themed television programmes: ASEAN Snapshots and The Travelling Palette – ASEAN Special.

During the launch of the portal, Dr Lee Boon Yang, Singapore’s Minister for Information, Communication and the Arts, noted: “As the ASEAN member states forge closer political and economic ties, it is important for the peoples of ASEAN to have a proper understanding of ASEAN’s larger objectives and the opportunities they present. This is where the media and information sector can play a significant role, not only in promoting the achievements of ASEAN, but also in fostering a strong ASEAN identity.”

The content from the ASEAN Media Portal will enhance its parent ASEAN Culture and Information Portal, which unveiled a new look on Friday.

Sporting a refreshed user-friendly layout, the portal highlights:

• initiatives and activities by the ASEAN Committee on Culture and Information;
  
• information on ASEAN traditional festivals;
  
• information on youth programmes;
  
• heritage photographs;
  
• ASEAN literature;
  
• news exchanges among the national broadcasters in ASEAN.

The idea for revamping the ASEAN Culture and Information Portal and enhancing it with media content was first mooted in May 2007 at the 9th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI).

Both portals are managed by the ASEAN Secretariat, with Singapore – via the Media Development Authority (MDA) – developing and hosting the ASEAN Media Portal.

The launch of the portals coincides with the celebration of ASEAN’s 40th anniversary and is in conjunction with the 13th ASEAN Summit which is currently in session in Singapore. The Summit ends on 22 November 2007.

Visit the ASEAN Culture and Information Portal at www.aseancultureandinformation.org and the ASEAN Media Portal at www.aseanmedia.net

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