As journalism faces a period of unprecedented transformation, the ABU Global News Forum (GNF) 2026 will bring together some of the region’s most influential media leaders and journalists for two high-level super panel discussions exploring the future of news, the challenges facing newsrooms, and the people who keep journalism alive. 

Under the theme “Resilient Journalism: Safeguarding Truth and Wellbeing,” the forum will examine how media organisations can adapt, innovate, and remain trusted in an era shaped by rapid technological change, shifting audience behaviour, and growing pressures on news professionals. 

The first Super Panel, “News Leader Forum: The State of Journalism in the Asia-Pacific,” will bring together senior executives from leading broadcasters to discuss the forces reshaping the media landscape. From the rise of artificial intelligence and evolving audience expectations to financial challenges and the growing need for credible journalism, the session will explore how news leaders are navigating change and preparing their organisations for the future. 

The distinguished panel will feature the Chair of the ABU News Group and Deputy Director General of TRT (Türkiye), Ahmet Görmez, Donna Field, Acting Director of ABC News (Australia), Chevaan Daniel, Group Director of MTV Channels (Sri Lanka) and renowned Malaysian news expert Md Shahri Saripan, Director of News and Current Affairs at Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM). It will be moderated by the experienced Laura Tingle of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 

The second Super Panel, “The People Behind the Journalism: Safety, Wellbeing and Resilience,” will shift the focus from institutions to individuals, highlighting the experiences, challenges, and resilience of the journalists and newsroom teams working on the front lines of information. 

The discussion will explore the importance of journalist safety, mental wellbeing, and creating supportive newsroom cultures that enable media professionals to continue delivering accurate and reliable reporting, even in increasingly demanding environments. 

Experienced Australian media personality Jeremy Fernandez of the ABC will moderate this session. Joining the panel will be Dorji Tashi, CEO of BBS (Bhutan), Mary Anne Francis Toral-Torres, Head of Integrated News at ABS-CBN (Philippines), Taro Mitamura, Head of General Bureau Asia at NHK (Japan) and Suzanne Dredge, ABC Head of International & Indigenous News. 

Together, the two Super Panels will provide a comprehensive look at journalism’s future—examining both the strategic decisions shaping media organisations and the human strength required to sustain quality journalism. 

The sessions are expected to offer valuable perspectives for broadcasters, editors, newsroom managers, and media professionals as they confront emerging challenges and explore new opportunities in the evolving media landscape. 

The ABU Global News Forum 2026 will be hosted by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) in Sydney, Australia, from 2–4 September 2026.