SCO Media Summit Calls for Stronger Cooperation Against Disinformation

Representatives from nearly 150 mainstream media organizations, leading think tanks, government departments, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Secretariat gathered for the SCO Media and Think Tank Summit, bringing together around 260 participants from member countries to discuss information security, media cooperation, and regional collaboration.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Daiyrbek Orunbekov said media organizations and think tanks have a crucial responsibility in shaping public opinion and safeguarding trust and security among nations. He stressed that closer coordination between media and research institutions would help counter disinformation, strengthen information security across the SCO, deepen academic cooperation, and promote friendship among member states.

Xi Yanchun said Xinhua remains committed to promoting the SCO’s achievements and strengthening its global voice. She urged media organizations and think tanks to foster solidarity, mutual trust, inclusive development, people-to-people exchanges, fairness, multilateralism, and practical cooperation. Meanwhile, Mederbek Shermetaliev noted that while digital technologies have enhanced information sharing, they have also increased the risks of disinformation and cybersecurity threats, underscoring the need for greater regional cooperation to address these challenges.