ABU ConFEST 2026: Trust remains public media's defining value in AI era

Bringing together executives and media professionals from public broadcasters across the Asia-Pacific and beyond, including the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Malaysia's Radio Televisyen Malaysia (RTM), the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and other international media organisations, the conference, held in Kuala Lumpur from July 7-9, focused on how public service media can be relevant in an increasingly AI-driven information environment.

Throughout the discussions, participants agreed that while technology will continue to reshape how journalism is produced and distributed, the defining values of public service media, including editorial responsibility, transparency and an unwavering commitment to serving the public interest, remain unchanged.

AI is reshaping journalism, not replacing it

One of the conference’s recurring themes was that conversations about artificial intelligence should begin not with technology itself, but with journalism. If content can now be generated within seconds, delegates asked, how can news organisations continue to earn and preserve public trust?

Claire Gorman, head of ABC International Services, argued that the strongest media organisations are not necessarily those using the most AI, but those that clearly define what AI can do, what it should never do and who is accountable for the final journalistic product.

She stressed that every newsroom should establish clear editorial guidelines and ethical safeguards governing the use of AI. Transparency, she said, is essential because audiences deserve to know when AI has assisted in content production.

The conference also highlighted the importance of keeping “humans in the loop” throughout the editorial process.

AI can transcribe interviews, analyse large datasets, restore archival material, suggest headlines and optimise content for digital platforms. Yet it cannot replace journalists' judgement, editorial responsibility, critical thinking or ethical decision-making.

AI is not perfect. It is created by humans and therefore reflects human limitations and biases, Gorman said, adding journalists cannot delegate their judgement to AI. Critical thinking, verification and independent assessment remain indispensable.

Ashwad Ismail, director-general of RTM, echoed that view, describing AI not as a threat to journalism but as a tool that must be governed by clear principles. In his view, the question is not whether journalists will be replaced by robots. The real question is whether journalists who fail to use AI effectively will be replaced by those who do.

Trust is public media's greatest competitive advantage

Delegates agreed that public service media cannot compete with social media platforms simply by producing more content or publishing it faster.

Generative AI has made content creation easier than ever, while social media enables information to spread globally within minutes. Yet speed alone does not guarantee accuracy or credibility.

Instead, public broadcasters retain advantages that open platforms struggle to replicate - rigorous verification, editorial accountability, community presence and a clear public service mission.

In today's information environment, audiences are no longer asking only whether information is true. They also want to know who produced it, how it was verified and who is accountable for its accuracy.

For this reason, participants stressed that news organisations should not only strengthen fact-checking but also help build public resilience against misinformation by equipping audiences with the skills to evaluate information critically.

Public media proves its value during crises

The importance of trusted journalism becomes most evident in case of emergencies.

Drawing on Australia's experience, Gorman noted that ABC plays a central role in delivering life-saving information during bushfires, floods and other emergencies. Over the past year alone, the broadcaster covered around 650 major emergency events, providing verified information when public safety was at stake.

In such moments, people are not looking for the most viral content on social media. They need reliable information that helps them understand what is happening and what actions they should take.

Delegates observed that this experience is equally relevant to countries such as Vietnam, where natural disasters, disease outbreaks and other emergencies regularly require timely, accurate and responsible communication.

Trust, they noted, cannot be built overnight. It is earned through years of consistent accuracy, professional responsibility and a sustained commitment to serving communities.

Audio is evolving into a broader digital ecosystem

The conference also explored the future of audio journalism. According to Gorman, radio is no longer a standalone medium but part of a broader audio ecosystem that includes podcasts, audiobooks, video podcasts and digital streaming platforms.

Traditional radio continues to offer immediacy and broad accessibility, while podcasts provide greater opportunities for in-depth storytelling, personalisation and long-term audience engagement.

Radio is not dying, it is evolving, Gorman stressed, adding older audiences still rely on radio, while younger audiences increasingly consume podcasts. According to her, the challenge is no longer the format itself but adapting storytelling to changing audience habits.

Gorman also praised the Voice of Vietnam's strong foundation in news and radio journalism, saying the broadcaster is well positioned to expand its reach by adapting content formats and storytelling techniques for podcast audiences.

The future belongs to journalists who embrace technology

Beyond AI, participants also discussed the role of younger generations in shaping the future of public media.

Ismail observed that today’s young professionals seek more than simply having their voices heard; they expect to participate directly in decision-making and innovation.

This, he said, requires media organisations not only to invest in technology but also to foster more open organisational cultures that empower younger journalists to contribute new ideas and approaches.

As ABU ConFEST 2026 demonstrated, the transformation of journalism is not a contest between humans and machines.

AI can help journalists work faster, process larger volumes of information and improve efficiency. But the qualities that sustain public trust, including accuracy, accountability, editorial independence and a commitment to serving communities, remain uniquely human.

In an increasingly complex information environment, delegates agreed that trust is not only public media's greatest asset, but also the foundation upon which its future will depend.

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