Armenia, represented by the Television and Radio Commission, assumed chairmanship of the platform of Mediterranean regulatory bodies.
The 23rd annual conference of the Mediterranean Network of Regulatory Authorities (MNRA) was held in Yerevan from October 8 to 9. The key topics were the use of artificial intelligence, the principles of regulation of audiovisual platforms, and the present and future of radio.
The Mediterranean Regulatory Bodies Platform unites independent regulatory bodies from 24 countries. It is a collaborative network for open discussion, sharing best practices in audiovisual content regulation, joint research, and timely response to challenges.
This year, representatives of regulatory bodies from 18 countries participated in the MNRA conference in Yerevan. They got acquainted with the new UNESCO guide to the principles of management of digital platforms, discussed the possibilities of artificial intelligence in regulators' work, and discussed the inevitable digitalization of radio.
Mikel Aguirre Idiaques, a program specialist in UNESCO's Freedom of Expression and Journalists' Safety Division, held a workshop on localizing the guiding principles. He emphasized that while the Internet seemed like a tool for democratization years ago, it has become a toxic environment and is now considered a weapon. Because of this, the fundamental principle of free expression is undermined.
Mónica Duran Ruiz, executive secretary of the Iberoamerica Audiovisual Regulators Platform (PRAI), presented their research conducted during the year on gender issues in the media and the need to spread media literacy. In his opinion, expanding audiovisual field settings is not a solution if it is not accompanied by an increase in the level of media literacy.
Having become the newly elected president of the platform of Mediterranean regulatory bodies, the Armenian Television and Radio Commission expects practical cooperation in various formats.
According to Tigran Hakobyan, the commission's chairman, joint programs to counter misinformation and hate speech should receive special attention.
Yerevan also saw the election of the vice-chairman of the platform of Mediterranean regulatory bodies. The Independent Media Commission of Kosovo became the vice-chairman.
