Name: Samy Elkamhawy, Vice Managing Editor, Al-Ahram Newspaper

Title: The Power of Media on the Silk Road

Abstract

I believe this initiative allows a rare opportunity to expand the horizons of fruitful cooperation, to achieve the prosperity of peoples and their dream of a decent stable life. The ancient Silk Road functioned as a channel of communication between different nations. This channel transferred cultures, religions, and traditions from China to other

countries and vice versa.

All these facts confirm that the revival of the Silk Road and the economic belt initiative should take into account the characteristics of the old road, which enabled the Asian and European countries to exchange goods, technologies, and ideas. The restoration of this type of openness to others would promote dialogue and interaction between different civilizations. Hence, media is one of the most important shaping tools of public opinion.

I believe that the media can overcome these obstacles and deliver facts and news as it is without being mixed with opinion and viewpoint. Honestly there is not such a thing like neutral media, but there must be professional media which do not change the facts.

There are some Western countries concerned about the strong economic growth of China and its increasing investment abroad, especially in Africa.

Although these views come from few people, they still negatively affect the future of the Belt and Road Initiative. Therefore media outlets, notably Chinese media, should deliver the truth about the initiative to people, so as to form a supportive public opinion and refute those skeptical opinions.

The development of media should be employed to boost the relations between nations and support peace in the world. We should also resist the domination of certain capital over the global media trends.

I suggest that Chinese media cooperate with the media outlets in the countries that support the Belt and Road Initiative. They can exchange experience through joint meetings and transferring news from the two sides. They can exchange permanent or seasonal delegates to cover the major events in the country. They can also open local bureaus to cover the events directly.

Last but not least, if we want the media to inform the citizens of the countries supporting the Belt and Road Initiative of the benefits and importance of this initiative to the future generations, we should support the media and provide it with information and facts that help accomplish this job. The freedom of circulation of information is the real guarantee for a powerful media.

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