Raising ASEAN awareness and facilitating greater information flow on the benefits of ASEAN developments are important priorities of regional cooperation in the information and media sectors. To better respond to the digital information age, the information sector is taking concrete steps to raise information and media literacy skills of ASEAN citizens. Policy and project initiatives targeting different segments of ASEAN societies are also developed to better equip ASEAN peoples to be more discerning in consuming information.

Through the use of different types of media including print media (newspapers, magazines), broadcast media (TV, radio), outdoor media (advertising) and internet (social media, websites, TV and radio based internet), the information sector promotes ASEAN awareness and communicates the benefits and opportunities of regional integration to the people. The effectiveness of the outreach efforts is monitored and evaluated through studies including the Poll on ASEAN Awareness 2018, to provide a guide in developing future communication strategies.

A multitude of activities such as workshops, conferences, competitions and capacity building and trainings are conducted annually. Longstanding activities include the ASEAN Television News, the Voice of ASEAN – Beyond Boundaries, and the ASEAN Quiz series. These activities work towards creating linkages and knowledge exchanges among ASEAN media, promoting tolerance in the media for diverse cultures and practices, and enhancing the use of advancements in ICTs to promote ASEAN awareness and belonging.

To better navigate the information landscape, the sector is proactively implementing the ASEAN Communication Master Plan (ACMP) II (2018-2025) which serves as the framework to communicate messages about the organisation, development and vision of ASEAN and the ASEAN Community to regional and global audiences. To this end, the information sector is leveraging a suite of new media platforms including podcasts, webinars, and videos, to excite and inspire ASEAN citizens to be a part of the community-building journey. 

Information and media cooperation is established at the First Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) in Jakarta, 24-25 May 1989. It is committed to raising and advocating awareness of ASEAN policies and initiatives, and communicating through traditional, mainstream and new media. Together with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners and other stakeholders, AMRI strives to create a regional sense of belonging, and to foster and promote ASEAN Identity.