Last week, the Asia-Pacific media community came together in Sydney for the 2026 Global News Forum (GNF), marking the Forum’s return to Australia for the first time in ten years.

Hosted by ABC Australia, the three-day gathering brought together news leaders, journalists and media professionals from across the region to confront some of the most pressing challenges facing journalism today. Centred on the theme of Resilient Journalism: Safeguarding Truth and Wellbeing, this year’s Forum provided an important space for honest conversations, fresh perspectives and meaningful connections.

The opening day set the tone for the discussions ahead. ABU Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem launched the Building Resilient Media People report, shining a spotlight on one of the most important elements of a strong and sustainable media industry: its people. Meanwhile, ABC Managing Director Hugh Marks highlighted the importance of ensuring that impactful journalism remains at the heart of media organisations.

The conversation continued with the Super Panel, The State of Journalism in the Asia-Pacific, where media leaders explored the changing realities of the industry and the challenges of maintaining public trust in an increasingly complex information environment.

As the Forum progressed, discussions went to the very heart of resilient journalism. From tackling fake news and misinformation to safeguarding digital truth, delegates examined the growing pressures facing news organisations and the importance of protecting credible journalism in a rapidly evolving media landscape. Equally important was the focus on the wellbeing and safety of journalists themselves. After all, resilient journalism cannot exist without resilient media people.

The Forum was also an opportunity to celebrate the exceptional work being produced by journalists and news organisations across the Asia-Pacific. The 2026 Asiavision Awards recognised excellence in journalism, impactful storytelling and innovation in news coverage, with more than 300 entries assessed by an independent panel of judges.

Among this year’s winners were CMG China, NHK Japan, VTV Vietnam, TRT Türkiye, ABC Australia, CNA Singapore, Thai PBS Thailand, TVB Hong Kong, DD India and ABS-CBN Philippines. Special recognition was also given to Warissara Sae-han of Thai PBS, who received the Rising Star Award, and Monica Enriquez Lachica of ABS-CBN Philippines, who received the ABU News Director Award.

The stories recognised at the awards were a powerful reminder of why journalism continues to matter. They inform, challenge, inspire and connect communities, often at a time when trust in information has never been more important.

As we look back on three days of insightful discussions and valuable exchanges, we extend our sincere gratitude to ABC Australia for its warm hospitality and for hosting this year’s Global News Forum. Our thanks also go to all delegates, speakers and participants who contributed their knowledge, experiences and perspectives to the conversations.

The 2026 Global News Forum may have come to an end, but the conversations it sparked will undoubtedly continue. If there was one message that resonated throughout the Forum, it was this: safeguarding the future of journalism means protecting both the truth and the people who work tirelessly to report it.

And in a world where journalism continues to face new and evolving challenges, resilience may well be one of the most important stories we can continue to build together.

And with that being said, the ABU team is now turning its attention to the upcoming 63rd ABU General Assembly & Associated Meetings — GA2026.