The rapid advancement of technology has significantly amplified the responsibilities of the press, Ahmed Shakeeb, the managing director of Public Service Media (PSM), said at the inaugural ceremony of the 21st Asia Media Summit. Addressing the event at the Villa Nautica Maldives Resort, Shakeeb underscored the historical and modern relevance of the theme, 'Maldives 2.0: From Tradition to Tech', noting that Maldivians sustained connections across disparate islands long before modern networks. Today, he observed, technological progress is evident throughout every atoll.
As capabilities expand, the burden of journalistic responsibility simultaneously intensifies, Shakeeb said. He highlighted that the media’s role extends beyond the dissemination of information to include cultivating public trust, advancing cultural heritage, fortifying democratic institutions, and ensuring every citizen is afforded a voice. PSM, as the state broadcaster, will remain steadfast in leveraging modern tools to serve the public, he affirmed, asserting that journalists must ensure technology ultimately serves human progress.
The summit, jointly organised by PSM and the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD), hosts over 300 international delegates. Philomena Gnanapragasam, chief executive officer of the AIBD, expressed gratitude for the arrangements and urged media entities to embrace technological tools to propel the industry forward.
The future trajectory of the media is inextricably linked to collaborative efforts and public trust, Sudruetai Lertkasem, president of the AIBD General Conference and the director-general of the Public Relations Department (PRD) of Thailand, declared. Lertkasem characterised the summit’s theme as a collective roadmap, asserting that while delivery mechanisms evolve, the objective of safeguarding the public interest remains resolute. Turning to global affairs, specifically conflicts in Western Asia, she stated that journalists must operate as critical conduits for humanitarian assistance. It is a core moral responsibility to authentically document and expose human suffering, she underscored.
Addressing the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence, Sudruetai observed that while the technology introduces unprecedented speed and operational ease, it simultaneously poses a profound threat as an instrument for the dissemination of disinformation. Elaborating on this dynamic, she provided a refined perspective on the industry’s horizon, asserting that the future of media will not be determined by the sophistication of the software utilised, but is instead fundamentally anchored in the strength of forged collaborative relationships and the profound depth of trust placed in the media by audiences and listeners.
Reaffirming the AIBD’s commitment to cultivating a robust electronic media ecosystem across the Asia-Pacific region, Sudruetai called upon the sector to engage in rigorous dialogue to expand the role of technology and formulate the pivotal strategic decisions required to responsibly guide the industry’s evolution before the summit concludes on 14 May.