The statement was made during the Latin-America Partners Media Cooperation Online Forum 2020 held in Beijing on August 28. The event was co-hosted by CMG and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). Alianza Informativa Latinoamericana (AIL), the biggest non-profit television network alliance in Latin America and the Caribbean, also put its support behind the forum.
At the forum, 33 guests from 15 organizations from 10 Latin American countries and China discussed in-depth how they should overcome difficulties and move forward hand in hand in fighting against the pandemic.
CMG's President and Editor-in-Chief Shen Haixiong said in his opening remarks, "Media should report the truth instead of spreading rumors and creating trouble; seek to build a consensus instead of creating divisions; strive to battle the pandemic scientifically instead of shifting the blame onto other countries and finally broadcast confidence, not air malicious attacks."
In the post-pandemic period, Shen pointed out, media outlets from China, Latin America, and the Caribbean should further strengthen cooperation in improving the sharing mechanism of news content, exploring and creating new forms of cooperation, and learning from each other on new media technology applications.
He said, "We should adhere to the principles of objectivity, fairness, and truth in reporting major news, and jointly show the voice of the Chinese and Latin American and the Caribbean media to promote the construction of a community of common health for mankind."
Alicia Bárcena, the Executive Secretary of ECLAC expressed, "As we face a global context full of uncertainty, our partnership must become even stronger by transforming it to a more balanced and equal one. The media have a key role to play in bridging the mutual knowledge gap that it still exists between both sides of the world."
"The media shoulders a huge responsibility," said Juan Carlos Isaza, the CEO of AIL. He explained that the media has an obligation to not only hold the government accountable but also support governments that do their utmost to fight the pandemic and bring hope to audiences who are pursuing news authenticity and reliability.
When China was being hit hard by the virus, 17 AIL members sent joint condolence videos to show their solidarity and support for China. CMG also provided support and assistance to some Latin American media outlets within its capacity when the pandemic spread in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The president and CEO of Rede Bandeirantes de Comunicação, João Carlos Saad, detailed in his keynote speech how CMG rapidly sent anti-pandemic materials to afflicted areas and thanked them for their quick and thoughtful response.
"China and Brazil will continue to play a strong synergy in the future," he said.
According to José Luis Manzano, the founder of the Grupo América, he severely criticized the actions of attacking and questioning the World Health Organization (WHO).
"We should strengthen the building of the WHO, and help it become the source of knowledge and authority in the health field," he said.
A launching and signing ceremony of Program Hoy was also held between CCTV Video News Agency (CCTV+) and AIL during the forum. The program meets the needs of AIL members for high-quality and multi-dimensional news content, and 22 mainstream media in 21 countries and regions within the alliance have already benefited.
In the forum, five Chinese and Latin American media representatives and experts participated an online panel discussion around the theme of "Strengthen Collaboration & Defeat the Pandemic".
In their opinion, the media will become an important driver of economic recovery. Strengthening cooperation between Chinese and Latin American media will help regain investment and consumer confidence.