KPL
Laos’ upcoming First National Media Conference is expected to mark a major milestone in strengthening the country’s media sector by promoting professionalism, digital transformation, and higher standards of journalism while enhancing the nation’s image on the international stage.
In an interview on June 19, Mr. Vannasin Simmavong, Director General of the Lao News Agency (KPL), said the conference is expected to adopt a new policy framework to guide the future development of the media sector, replacing Resolution No. 36, which has served as the principal policy document since 1996.
He noted that after nearly three decades, rapid advances in information technology, digital communications, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) have fundamentally reshaped the global media environment, making an updated framework necessary to address emerging challenges and seize new opportunities.
Mr. Vannasin said Resolution No. 36 had played a significant role in strengthening Party leadership and State management of the media sector, enabling media organizations to serve as an important channel for communicating Party policies, government priorities, and public information. It also supported the expansion of radio, television, print, and online media, enhanced professional training for journalists, and contributed to promoting Laos’ image internationally.
Looking ahead, he said future media development will continue to follow the Party’s leadership principles while adapting to technological change and the evolving digital communications landscape.
Key priorities include accelerating digital transformation by developing multi-platform media operations and incorporating technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to improve content production and distribution. He also emphasized the importance of investing in human resources by strengthening journalists’ professional skills, digital literacy, language capabilities, ethical standards, and responsible use of AI.
Improving content quality will remain another central objective, with greater emphasis on producing timely, accurate, credible, and audience-focused reporting while expanding multilingual content to better present Laos to regional and international audiences.
Mr. Vannasin also highlighted the need to modernize legal frameworks, administrative mechanisms, financing systems, and media organizational structures to improve efficiency and competitiveness. In addition, he called for deeper cooperation with international media organizations to facilitate knowledge exchange, professional training, and institutional capacity building.
“Our objective is to build a Lao media sector that is professional, modern, credible, and capable of adapting to the digital era,” Mr. Vannasin said. “At the same time, it must continue to fulfill its role as the voice of the Party, the State, and the people while promoting a positive image of the Lao PDR on the regional and global stage.”
KPL
