Forging Unity Through Communication: Insights from the 1st Bangsamoro Information and Media Summit

DAVAO CITY — The Bangsamoro Information Office (BIO) held a three (3) day event of the 1st Bangsamoro Information and Media Summit with the theme “Amplifying Voices, Nurturing the Gains of the Peace Process: The Role of Communicators in the Bangsamoro Region”, which was attended by information officers from different ministries, agencies and offices of the Bangsamoro Government, together with various media individuals, journalists, and multimedia groups, held at the SMX Convention Center on October 18-20, 2023.

The summit acknowledges the importance of communicators and works to bridge the information gap in the area between information officers and the media, fostering the dissemination of accurate information that is consistent with the principles of moral government.

It was also highlighted in the summit the presentation of the partner stakeholders, Bangsamoro Electoral Code, Role of Information Officers in Moral Governance, Media Literacy and Fact Checking and the Bangsamoro in Transition: Reporting the last 20 months.

BIO Executive Director Ameen Andrew Alonto stressed that he was grateful that partners from the national government were present to witness the collective commitment to promoting peace, development, and unity in a region that has struggled for so long.

“Today’s summit is not just an event; it is an avenue for empowerment. It is an opportune time for media professionals to hone their skills, exchange ideas, and strengthen the information and media network within the Bangsamoro. It is through your collective efforts that we can ensure that the narratives of our region are not only heard but understood and celebrated”, Chief Minister Ahod “Al Haj Murad” Ebrahim said in his keynote message via video presentation.

Project TABANG Management Office, represented by Media Productions and Communications Unit Head Hadji Harris M. Ismael, and Media Productions Specialist Fariznah Dataya, attended the said event.

The media summit advocates responsible journalism in fostering and promoting peace in line to the Enhanced 12-Point Priority Agenda for 2023-2025.