Laos Charts New Course for Media Development at First National Conference

Khamphan Pheuyavong, Head of the Commission for Information and Education of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, highlighted the significant role of media ahead of the nation's first-ever National Media Conference. The conference reflects the media's increasingly important function as the Party's voice in disseminating policies and guidelines, shaping public understanding, and resolutely countering misinformation, distorted narratives, and hostile viewpoints. A central organizing committee was established in early 2026 to prepare for the conference, with four subcommittees tasked with content, publicity, security and health services, and logistics, including finance, personnel, and protocol. Preparations commenced shortly after the 11th National Party Congress and are now largely complete, with progress attributed to the close guidance of the Politburo, the Party Central Committee Secretariat, senior Party and State leaders, and the active cooperation of ministries, sectors, and media organizations nationwide. Challenges acknowledged include the absence of prior experience in organizing such a conference, limitations in comparative data for evaluation, and restricted time for documentary and exhibition preparation. The conference aims to comprehensively review media-related legislation, assess media organization performance, strengthen institutional structures and human resource development, improve infrastructure and technology, and enhance financial management to elevate the overall quality of the country's media sector. Professional development sessions will cover Party leadership over media work, media ethics, and legal and regulatory frameworks governing journalism and mass communications. A key outcome will be the drafting of a new Politburo resolution to replace Resolution No. 36, which has guided the media sector since 1993. The new policy framework seeks to modernize the media sector and bolster its capacity to fulfill its four core responsibilities: providing accurate information, educating the public, guiding public opinion, and combating false information and hostile narratives. Khamphan emphasized the Party leadership's guidance that media must "speak with clarity, touch people's hearts, inspire readers, uphold the truth, defend what is right, and overcome challenges." He called upon media organizations and journalists nationwide to uphold professional ethics, strictly observe the law, build on past achievements, and continue developing a modern, professional, and responsible media sector that effectively serves the Party, the State, and the people. In related news, the Ministry of Health will prioritize improving healthcare services, expanding access to clean water and sanitation, and strengthening grassroots health systems as part of the government’s National Agenda on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication. The Ministry of Finance is strengthening oversight of mining concessions and private investment projects to curb revenue leakages, improve transparency, and ensure state revenues are collected in full. The Bank of the Lao PDR (BOL) will implement five priority measures to contain inflation and achieve the National Assembly’s target of keeping average inflation below 7 percent in 2026. The Lao government will also expand the country’s strategic fuel reserves and accelerate the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), targeting EVs to comprise 30 percent of the national vehicle fleet by 2030, with 50 percent of government administrative vehicles to be converted to electric models.