Asian media influence must match economic clout: Chinese official

BEIJING - Li Changchun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, has said Asian media should increase their influence to match the growing economic clout of the continent.

Changchun was addressing a meeting with representatives of Asia News Network (ANN), an alliance of 21 leading newspapers in Asia.

The senior editors were attending the Asia Forum 2010 in Beijing, which brought together government officials, business leaders and members of the media to share knowledge of climate change trends among Asian countries and the future of a green Asia.

“We have to recognize that in today’s world, the Western media has gained an upper hand in terms of influencing public opinion,” the China Daily quoted him, as saying.

The ANN provides a platform for stronger communication and exchanges between major mainstream news organizations, he said. (ANI)