2026 Asiavision Coordinators’ Meeting: Many voices, great outcomes

The 2026 edition of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union’s (ABU) annual Asiavision Coordinators’ Meeting, held at the Perdana Kuala Lumpur City Centre, was a powerful “roller-coaster” of professional growth and emotional connection. Under the theme “Bridging the Asia-Pacific: One Story, Many Voices,” the event saw a great turnout of members gathered to navigate an increasingly complex media landscape.

The agenda tackled the most pressing issues facing modern newsrooms, bridging the gap between technical innovation and academic foundation:

• Artificial Intelligence: Kati Bremme (France Télévisions) led critical sessions on building robust AI strategies in the newsroom.
• Media Information Literacy (MIL): Intensive workshops empowered journalists with the tools, techniques, and editorial standards necessary for responsible reporting with UNESCO and BBC Media Action playing a key role in these sessions.
• University-Level Journalism: Dr. Muhammad Naim Muhamad Ali (UOW Malaysia) sparked vital discussions on redesigning journalism education through innovative “Newsroom Labs”.

From top left: Kati Bremme (France Télévisions), Varinder Kaur of BBC Media Action, Bottom left: Rowena Paraan of the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, Dr. Muhammad Naim Muhamad Ali of UOW Malaysia

Two key sessions provided members with a roadmap for expanding their reach while maintaining rigorous standards:

• The Power of audio: Andrew Davies, ABU’s Head of Radio, demonstrated how to breathe new life into stories by adapting visual news for audio-first platforms, reaching younger and more diverse audiences through podcasts.
• Legal and ethical safeguards: Dr. Seemantani Sharma, ABU’s Legal Manager, navigated the complexities of news exchange ethics, addressing the delicate balance between rapid information sharing and strict editorial integrity.

Top: Andrew Davies, ABU’s Head of Radio; Bottom: Dr. Seemantani Sharma, ABU’s Legal Manager

Members gained deep insights during the “Year in Review” and strategic feedback sessions, identifying collective strengths and unique challenges within the Asiavision platform. The program also featured a diverse range of perspectives:

• Member showcases: Presentations from ABC Australia, ABS-CBN Philippines, VTV Vietnam, and Thai PBS highlighted the impact of digital work.
• Global best practices: Insights from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and TRT Türkiye provided a global context to local reporting challenges.
• High-impact case studies: Attendees conducted deep dives into the coverage of Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka and the Wang Fuk Court fire in Hong Kong to extract lessons in logistics and visual impact.

From grassroots SDG reporting to the future of podcasting, the meeting was a testament to the community’s drive for innovation. The event concluded with an Open Forum, where members shared their vision for the remainder of 2026, reinforcing a collective commitment to deeper collaboration and journalistic excellence.