(VOVworld) – The rapid development in communications and IT has created great opportunities and also posed challenges for journalists to improve their abilities to meeting the public’s increasing demand for information.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam spoke at a ceremony to mark 40th anniversary of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists (Photo: VGP)

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said, speaking at a ceremony to mark 40^th anniversary of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists on Friday in Hanoi. Mr. Dam said readers and listeners’ trust in the press was based on accurate, rapid and objective information, which is the major difference between the press’s information and unofficial information sources. Dam added press and communication agencies and journalists should be at the vanguard in guiding the community towards good values, contributing to development and prosperity of ASEAN and the world. The Deputy Prime Minister said 2015 marks 20 years of Vietnam’s ASEAN membership. Vietnam has always been an active and responsible member of ASEAN, especially in implementing measures to build ASEAN Economic Community: “The context of complicated regional and international context has posed great challenges to peace and development, especially for marine security and safety. In order to assure peace and stability and create a favorable environment for development, the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists plays an important role in enhancing understanding between nations, promoting cooperation, and appraising justice in resolving conflicts and disputes by peaceful means based on international law”.

Mr. Dam said that the ceremony, as well as the 18^th General Assembly of the Confederation of ASEAN Journalists could be a specific action program for the Organization and the Journalists Associations from each country.