With the theme "Boosting Global Confidence, Promoting Media Development," the summit brought together over 450 representatives from nearly 200 institutions worldwide, sparking profound discussions on critical topics.

In the Joint Statement, the participants acknowledged the unprecedented changes and uncertainties the world is currently facing, emphasizing the need for global media to act as a bridge of communication, addressing questions posed by the era and history.

The statement highlighted the summit’s commitment to exploring ways for the media industry to tackle global challenges, encapsulated in the four key topics: "Bolstering Confidence," "Embracing Changes," "Pioneering Innovation," and "Seeking Growth."

Recognizing the accelerated changes unseen in a century, the participants called for increased attention to the pressing demands of developing countries, particularly in areas such as poverty reduction, food security, financing for development, and industrialization. The Joint Statement underscored the role of global media in helping to resolve imbalances and inadequacies in development, fostering a sense of responsibility towards the broader global community.

Amid the rapid development of new technologies in the information age, the Joint Statement emphasized the importance of adhering to journalistic ethics and professional standards. It urged global media to actively embrace innovation while making rational use of emerging technologies, with a commitment to disseminating factual, objective, comprehensive, and unbiased news. Resisting misinformation, opposing rumors, and prejudices were deemed essential to upholding the authority and credibility of the media.

The Joint Statement went further to call on global media organizations to strengthen cooperation, promoting the common development of the world media industry. Facilitating mutual understanding and communication among countries and peoples with different historical backgrounds, cultural traditions, and development statuses was highlighted as crucial. This, the statement emphasized, would contribute to delivering greater stability and positive energy to a world marked by volatility.

The summit’s role as an important global platform for high-level media exchanges and cooperation was reaffirmed in the Joint Statement. Co-hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the provincial government of Guangdong, the events at the main venue of the summit ran from December 2 to 6. As the summit concluded, the Joint Statement left a lasting impression, inspiring hope that it will encourage global media to build consensus, work collaboratively for high-quality development, and pool their influential strength for building a community with a shared future for humanity and a better world.

Delegates attend the opening ceremony of the 5th World Media Summit (WMS) in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Dec. 3, 2023.(Xinhua/Deng Hua)