Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and Thai PBS have over a decade-long relationship of joining forces to foster development for public media organizations. One collaboration in the news network includes Asiavision (AVN), a video news exchange operated by the ABU News department where more than 15,000 news stories are shared annually. Asiavision also partners with ABU’s sister unions like the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), and the African Union of Broadcasters (AUB) to exchange news stories and provide for its members.
It is a nonprofit, non-political organization funded by members.
An annual ABU News Group Meeting is held at the Global News Forum where the News Committee meets to discuss and respond to key industry issues and exchange information. At the 2024 News Meeting & Global News Forum
hosted by Thai PBS in Bangkok, leading journalists and academics from various Asia-Pacific regions discussed the pressing need for media practitioners to enhance their roles as gatekeepers and watchdogs. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism was highlighted, emphasizing the responsible use of AI to combat fake news and disinformation, which contribute to social conflicts and political polarization.
Former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva delivered a keynote address underscoring the nuanced forms of interference journalists face today, including business influences and digital misinformation. He stressed the importance of distinguishing professional journalism from unverified online content and reaffirming journalists' commitment to truth through active fact-checking and seeking hidden truths.
Kavi Chongkittavorn, a veteran journalist, pointed out that the professionalism of Thai media often falls short of the freedoms they enjoy, calling for enhanced training to better equip journalists in fact-checking and combating disinformation.
Pirongrong Ramasoota of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) highlighted the dominance of disinformation on social media and the need for news agencies to collaborate with the public sector to ensure greater prominence on digital platforms. She mentioned the NBTC's initiative to develop a social credit model to rate the quality of content provided by licensed broadcasters.
In the session on generative AI, Professor Edson C. Tandoc shared insights on the adoption of AI usage in newsrooms, while Kaori Iida of NHK discussed the impact of 'impression zombies' on social media. The forum concluded with a call to maintain journalistic integrity and adaptability in an evolving media landscape.
For more detailed insights, visit a full article on Thai PBS World: [AI, social media and the news – a challenging cocktail] or watch live streaming by clicking HERE
