MEDIA PROFESSIONALS DISCUSS THE FUTURE OF NEWS AT KPF JOURNALISM CONFERENCE IN SEOUL

From Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali

SEOUL, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- The 2024 KPF (Korea Press Foundation) Journalism Conference kicked off here Thursday with a pre-session of the ASEAN-Korea Journalism Forum, bringing together media professionals from ASEAN to discuss the profound impact of digital technology on news production, distribution, and consumption.

Indonesia’s Kompas Daily Newspaper Editorial Secretary, Indriastuti Dewi shared her insights on how digital technology has significantly reshaped her organization’s workflow particularly as a traditional newspaper.

She explained that their morning meetings, which once began at 10 am, now start at 7 am to accommodate the constant flow of news circulating on social media over the previous 24 hours. This early meeting allows the team to discuss trending topics and strategize their coverage accordingly.

“At the end of each day, by 5 pm, we hold another meeting to decide what will be featured in the next day's newspaper,”

“At first, transitioning to this schedule was quite challenging for us, especially since journalists are not typically known for being morning people. But with everything changing so fast, we had to adapt to stay relevant,” she added.

Dewi also highlighted a significant cost-saving measure: Kompas previously relied on third-party translators to convert their news articles from Indonesian to English, costing the organization around 800 million rupiah (US$50,603) annually.

However, with the advent of AI technology, Kompas now uses AI for translations, resulting in substantial savings while demonstrating how global media agencies are leveraging technology to remain profitable in a challenging economic environment.

Addressing the rapid spread of misinformation, she said, “Misinformation and disinformation can spread very fast. At Kompas, we employ a method called ‘riding the wave.’ When a viral incident occurs on social media, people turn to us to verify its truthfulness.”

She emphasised that as media professionals, it is their responsibility to provide the public with accurate and reliable information.

Cambodia’s Khmer Times Deputy Editor Taing Rinith, spoke about the dual nature of communication technology.

While acknowledging that it has made journalists' jobs easier by facilitating access to information and ideas, he cautioned that it has also allowed anyone to assume the role of a journalist, raising concerns about the accuracy and ethical standards of the content being shared.

“With the ease of posting on social media, the accuracy and ethics of these ‘journalists’ come into question. Many prioritize attention over factual reporting and are not bound by ethical standards,” he said.

Bernama Journalist, Wan Muhammad Aslah Wan Razali, discussed the challenges of engaging younger audiences in an era of rapid information access.

“It’s a challenge for news organizations to keep up, but at Bernama, we’ve adapted by targeting Gen Z and millennials through social media platforms,” he said.

He highlighted the necessity of concise content, noting that with attention spans ranging from 8 to 15 seconds, Bernama creates 15-second videos for platforms like TikTok to explain news topics and issues.

“As more people turn to social media for their news, media must adapt to where the audience is. Increasingly, individuals prefer to seek updates on social media rather than visit traditional news websites.

“By embracing this shift, media organisations can engage audiences more effectively, remaining competitive in the evolving digital landscape,” he said

Associate News Editor at SPH Media in Singapore, Ng Soon Kiat, elaborated on the significant transformation his organization has undergone to cater to a mobile-first audience.

“More people are turning to social media for their news and information. In response, SPH Media has overhauled its content management system to prioritize mobile delivery first, with print products as a secondary focus,” he said.

This strategic move, Kiat explained, involved rethinking their entire workflow—from news gathering and editing to distribution.

By focusing on mobile-first content, SPH Media aims to ensure that its content is accessible and engaging for mobile users, keeping pace with the growing demand for digital content.

“We believe this approach not only enhances the user experience but also positions us to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape,” Kiat added.

The 2024 KPF Journalism Conference, held from Nov 13 to 15, brought together media professionals, scholars, and industry experts to discuss the evolving challenges and opportunities in journalism.

This year’s theme, “Journalism and Embracing AI,” was explored across several sessions, highlighting the role of artificial intelligence in reshaping news production and consumption.

-- BERNAMA