WAVES declaration champion media & entertainment as channel for dialogue

Indian Express

02-05-2025

The declaration adopted by World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025 pledged to foster more people-to-people, culture-to-culture and country-to-country exchanges by championing media and entertainment as a channel for dialogue.
'We aim to promote diverse voices, encourage innovation and build institutional capacities and inclusion in our media and entertainment ecosystems,' the declaration adopted at the Global Media Dialogue said. The GMD was joined by the delegates from 77 countries which echoed the sentiment that films, depicting cultures across the world, hold an immense potential in bringing people closer, and participating nations appreciated the role of Indian films in this regard.
It added that the countries commit to protect and promote cultural heritage, celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity, and ensure that local knowledge remains accessible in a global media market. The declaration discussed means to narrow down digital divide and giving equitable opportunities to all communities.
'We aim to prevent the spread of misinformation and disinformation, promote media integrity, fact-based journalism and responsible advertising towards enlightened public discourse. We support content that respects human rights, and cultural sensitivities, while fostering cross-border collaborations to deepen shared understanding. In doing so, we recommit ourselves to the Sustainable Development Goals, placing emphasis on human well-being, strengthened institutions, and partnerships that can drive lasting peace, progress and prosperity,' the declaration stated.
The declaration talked about encouraging the responsible use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI).
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, participating in the GMD, said that despite beyond imagination possibilities in the emerging era of AI, there is a need for a responsible use of emerging technologies, while reducing bias, democratising content and prioritising its ethics.
'For a global workplace and global workforce, there is need for shifts in mindsets, frameworks, policies and practices', he said at the Global Media Dialogue at the World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025. During his address, Jaishankar noted that the world order, which has a strong cultural dimension, is under transformation today. 'It is essential that we give voice to our traditions, heritage, ideas, practices and creativity', he said. The Minister stated that technology and tradition must go hand-in-hand, as technology can strengthen awareness of our vast heritage and deepen consciousness about it, especially for the younger generations. 'It is crucial that young talent is made ready for an age of creative collaborations through relevant skill development. Innovation is key to the leapfrogging that will build Viksit Bharat', he said.