CQU Journalism Professor Alan Knight has been appointed as the next Australian representative on the international Board of the Singapore-based Asian Media and Communications Centre (AMIC).

AMIC, established in 1971, aims to spearhead the development of media and communication expertise in the Asia-Pacific to foster socio-economic progress throughout the region.

AMIC which has hundreds of academic and professional members from Pakistan to Korea, influences regional media policy and industry practices through conferences, research and scholarly publications.

The 13th AMIC Annual Conference, " Impact of New & Old Media on Development in Asia will be held from July 1-3, 2004, in Bangkok.

Professor Knight is a former Australian Broadcasting Corporation journalist, who specialises in research on foreign correspondents and how Western countries report on Asia.

"Australians need to recognise that the ways they see the world may not be shared by their regional neighbours," Professor Knight said.

"More effective media which recognise and rise above ineffective practices, can encourage co-operation for sustainable development," he said.

The AMIC appointment is particularly significant for Central Queensland University, which draws almost half of its students from Asia, he said.

Relevant websites:.

http://www.amic.org.sg/ .

http://ejournalism.au.com/ .