Media experts will gather to discuss critical news issues

Media experts from around the world will gather in Korea to discuss news in a rapidly-changing world.

They will take part in a special Professional Discussion session on 17 October tentatively titled “News in the Smart Media Era” as part of the ABU’s 49th General Assembly in Seoul. 

ABU News Director Se-Deuk Ahn says smart audiences with digital devices and networks are rocking the content production chain, not to mention news and journalism, so the traditional craft of journalism must change.

He says the special session will explore the transformation of news and journalism in the face of new technologies, services and interactions, and how broadcasters can maintain accountability in journalism that is scrupulous with facts and objectivity.

“It will be an opportunity to compare perspectives from a wide spectrum of journalists, news business gurus, and major social network services (SNS) players,” he says.

Expert panellists will represent traditional broadcast media journalism, social media, the ICT industry and international policymakers. Each panellist will be invited to make an introductory presentation on their interpretation of the topic, followed by a moderated discussion with other panellists and a question-and-answer session with the audience.

“In such a revolutionary age, news organisations are constantly grappling with the question of how to employ advances to reach audiences by addressing the changes in their needs,” Mr Ahn says. “How can they retain the interest of media consumers as they grow increasingly connected, global-minded, creative and participatory and interact with international media players such as Google, Facebook or Twitter?”

Information about the 49th ABU General Assembly and how to register can be found on the ABU website. The deadline for hotel bookings as well as visa applications is 1 September 2012.