ABU Launches Future of News Report
Toronto, ON – July 18, 2024 –The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) announced today that is has launched its report on the future of news in the Asia-Pacific region at the Global News Forum in Bangkok, Thailand. The Future of News in Asia and the Pacific highlights the range and unprecedented pace of change in the news industry. The report was compiled and edited by the ABU’s Director of News and the Chair of the WBU’s News Committee, Deborah Steele.
“The aim of this report is to highlight the range of issues driving change, and to explore the implications and encourage discussion and innovation. There’s a parallel goal: to recognize and celebrate industry expertise in the Asia Pacific region, while highlighting the importance of a diversity of voices and perspectives, “she said.
The report discusses Generative AI, disinformation and fake news, changing audience preferences, budget pressures, the changing relationship with social media companies and big tech, climate change, fandom, gamification and growing risks to journalist safety. It features essays by experts and news leaders at media organisations including Thai PBS, NHK Japan, KBS Korea, the Capital Maharaja Group in Sri Lanka, DD India, ABS-CBN in the Philippines, ABC Australia, TRT Turkiye, CMG China, RTM Malaysia and FBC Fiji. It also includes essays by academic thought leaders and representatives of international organisations including Reporters Without Borders, the Public Media Alliance and the International News Safety Institute, as well as the results of the ABU’s Future of News survey.
The head of the WBU Secretariat, Rebecca Hanson, said: “The ABU is one of the most diverse broadcasting unions in the world. This report offers a comprehensive overview of the challenges facing broadcasters today and demonstrates the importance of the support and information sharing provided by broadcast unions. It also highlights training needs for an industry grappling with rapid change and new technologies.”
The report is available to read HERE.
For more information, contact:
Deborah Steele, Director of ABU News & editor of The Future of News in Asia and the Pacific
deborah@abu.org.my or +60 123259627
About the WBU
The World Broadcasting Unions (WBU) was established in 1992 as a coordinating body at the international broadcasting level. Since then, the WBU has provided global solutions on key issues for its member unions. The North American Broadcasters Association (NABA) acts as secretariat for the WBU.