UN Cites Media’s Role in Telling Stories on Sustainable Development Goals

by Joe Carlos

The United Nations calls on media to tell stories about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and make a real difference in improving the lives of people and building a more sustainable planet.

“We need you, the media, to tell stories of the goals and how we can achieve them. Working together will make a real difference”, Dr Amina C. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, told over 300 participants of the 15th Asia Media Summit (AMS) that opened in New Delhi, India on 10 May 2018.

Part of the AMS agenda is a discussion on the state of implementation of the SDGs and the critical role of media in addressing issues like poverty, corruption, discrimination and terrorism.

On September 25th 2015, UN-member countries adopted a set of goals to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda. Each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.

In a video message to the AMS participants, Dr Mohammed said that media institutions are indispensable in informing people, galvanising support, holding leaders and society, and the private sector to account .

The two-day Summit formally opened this morning with more than 300 delegates from 39 countries across the globe in attendance.

She said that media practitioners and policymakers have a crucial role in shaping the development of the Asia-Pacific region that should be inclusive, resilient, and sustainable.

In the spirit of global village, first envisaged half a century ago by the media theorist Marshall Mcluhan, Ms Mohammed said “it is essential that we bridge the digital divide and enable each woman and man, and boy and girl to participate meaningfully in their community and beyond”.

She stressed that media plays an essential role in “providing accurate and objective reporting, and reflecting people’s aspirations and challenges”.