The Eighth Asia Media Summit (AMS 8) closed in Hanoi on May 25 aftertwo days of discussions, agreeing that the competition amongbroadcasters is becoming fiercer than ever.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Yang Binyan, Director of theAsia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), said thatAMS 8 served as a platform for a multisectoral and multidimensionaldialogue on the challenges and opportunities in the digital world forbroadcasters.

He spoke of the summit’s outcomes,particularly in raising awareness and understanding among broadcastersof opportunities offered by technological advances and multiple deliveryplatforms such as the web, mobile, and social media that will expandtheir audience reach, address strong competition and improve theirproducts and services as well as business returns.

Delegates to the summit reached a consensus that it was no longerbusiness as usual for broadcasters in the battle for attention that hasbecome more intense than ever in the digital world. They showed how newsand social media have contributed towards addressing crisis anddevelopment needs in the region.

The summit helpedAIBD and its partners to foster a more meaningful relationship withbroadcasters, expand cooperation and contribute to an exchange ofknowledge.

Through the summit Vietnam showcasedits efforts in international integration and helped participants tobetter understand and speak of the country’s strong developmentdynamism, especially in the broadcasting industry.

The next summit will be held in May next year in Bangkok, Thailand./.