ILADO: How media can survive in digital era

That the print media is facing tough times across the world is not news. The situation is so bad in some countries that some seasoned media houses have either shrunk their business by more than half in the last five years or have simply shut down.

The situation is made worse by new media, especially social media where many people have seemingly shifted but do not like to pay for the content they consume there.

Whereas there is a lot of “noise” about the shift, these platforms are not generating enough money to pay for the operational costs of a proper, well-resourced media house.

Latest technology like artificial intelligence is also creeping in with big tech companies using it to grab content without paying a dime for it.

This is the state of play in the media industry across the world. Media evolution is part of the accelerated changes every sector is going through in this digital era. The uncertainties and unforeseen factors are on the rise and so global media needs to collaborate more and fight together with one voice for it to survive. 

These were the issues that occupied the minds of more than 400 top editors who met in Guangzhou, the capital of south China's Guangdong Province, during the Fifth World Media Summit early this month.

Themed 'Boosting global confidence, promoting media development', the fifth WMS provided an opportunity for media leaders to analyse the opportunities and challenges faced by the world media industry in the digital era.

It also allowed exploration of the role and responsibility of the media in promoting economic and social development and discussed how to better tell the story of human development and promote the common development of the world.

One thing that was clear to me is that we who are privileged to lead the media today, must ensure that we survive and be change agents in this increasingly competitive, divisive yet innovative bold new world for promoting common humanity, a shared future and shared prosperity.

It is also clear to me that the place for truth-telling cannot be gainsaid. With an increase in fake news, the mainstream media must continue playing a vital role in providing the truth and presenting both sides of the story.

The media should consider facts as the source of news, reflect the objective truth, oppose false news, and ensure that reporting is accurate, fair, authoritative and trustworthy.

In Kenya today we have many leaders who lie with a straight face. They do not seem to have a conscience because they have power and money; they pay bloggers to push their narratives as if it is the gospel truth.

The media's role extends beyond conveying facts. It should catalyse socioeconomic change and development.

It is not enough for us to acknowledge the challenges posed by new technology. We should better harness game-changing innovations such as artificial intelligence (AI) during the entire process of news gathering, processing and distribution so that we can improve production efficiency, enrich product forms, and release more news reports that are credible and enjoyable to the audiences.

Fu Hua, executive chairman of the WMS and president of Xinhua News Agency, called on media outlets to build consensus, boost confidence in development and uphold objectivity and truth.

This, according to Hua, will enhance media's credibility and deepen exchanges and collaboration in contributing to an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security and common prosperity.

UN Undersecretary-General Melissa Fleming and other guests also delivered speeches at the conference. They agreed that as humanity faces many global challenges, only by deepening communication and strengthening cooperation can we boost confidence.

Head of Content, Radio Africa Group