Media Work More Crucial Than Ever As AI Reshapes Global Communication Landscape

By Siti Zanariah Nor Zin

BEIJING, June 5 (Bernama) -- The media must play a greater role in promoting dialogue among civilisations, strengthening mutual understanding, and building global consensus as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the global communication landscape amid growing geopolitical and cultural divides.

Communication University of China (CUC) Vice President Ren Mengshan said rapid advances in AI, coupled with geopolitical conflicts, development imbalances, and barriers between civilisations, have made the role of the media more critical than ever in connecting nations and advancing international cooperation.

“The world needs exchange, understanding, and cooperation more than ever before, and it needs the media to play their crucial role in connecting China and the world, bridging nations and building consensus,” he said in his opening remarks at the Global Journalists Salon: The Mission of the Media under the Global Civilisation Initiative — A Dialogue on Friday.

The event brought together journalists from more than 50 countries and regions participating in the China International Press Communication Centre (CIPCC) 2026 programme.

Held in conjunction with the International Day for Dialogue among Civilisations, the event provided a platform for media professionals to exchange views on cross-cultural communication and international cooperation.

Ren said the media should serve as bridge-builders between civilisations, conveners of global consensus, and guardians of truth by promoting objective and inclusive journalism while strengthening public trust in an increasingly complex information environment.

“The media are not only disseminators of information, but also chroniclers of civilisation, conveyors of values, and builders of public discourse.

“In today’s highly interconnected global communication landscape, a single news report, a piece of footage, or a cross-border interview can change how the peoples of different countries perceive one another and shape the course of international public opinion,” he said.

He also urged media practitioners to act as conveners of global consensus on shared challenges such as climate change, AI governance, and public health by promoting constructive dialogue and identifying common ground despite differences.

Stressing the need to safeguard truth and public trust in an era of information overload and algorithm-driven communication, he said journalists must uphold professional ethics and use constructive communication to promote social progress.

“Journalists are the keepers of professional ethics, safeguarding public trust through professionalism and promoting social progress through constructive communication,” he said.

The CIPCC 2026 programme was organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association (CPDA) for a three-months media exchange fellowships in Beijing from May 11 until August. 

Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) journalist Siti Zanariah Nor Zin is Malaysia’s sole media representative in the programme.

-- BERNAMA