Global media leaders told journalism must change and the Pacific has a key role to play

Journalism is at a turning point and Pacific media could be part of the answer.

That was one of the strongest messages to emerge from this week's Global Media Forum in Bonn, Germany, where more than 1500 editors, journalists, researchers and policymakers from over 100 countries gathered to tackle some of the biggest challenges facing the news industry.

The discussions centred on three urgent issues: the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, the growing influence of social media algorithms, and the loss of young audiences who are turning away from traditional news.

New research released during the forum, the Reuters Digital News Report, showed younger people are increasingly getting their news from platforms such as TikTok, YouTube and Instagram instead of established news organisations.

For countries and communities where young people make up a large share of the population, delegates said the trend raises important questions about how trusted news can continue to reach the next generation.

The forum also highlighted the growing power of global technology companies over the news industry.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural organisation, UNESCO, launched an international consultation on new guidelines aimed at ensuring news organisations are fairly paid when their journalism is used by digital platforms and artificial intelligence systems.

The agency warned that a small number of technology companies now control how many people discover news online while many local news organisations struggle to survive as advertising revenue continues to fall.

For smaller Pacific media organisations, the issue is especially important because limited resources make it harder to compete with global platforms.

The Global Media Forum 2026 brought together more than 1500 journalists, editors, researchers and policymakers from over 100 countries to tackle the biggest challenges facing news media. Photo/DW

But alongside the challenges came a clear message of hope.

Delegates repeatedly argued that rebuilding trust will require journalism to work more closely with Indigenous and local communities and not just reporting on them only when disaster strikes.

Pacific Media Network senior reporter Christine Rovoi told one of the forum's panels that trusted journalism depends on strong relationships with the communities it serves.

"Our audience expects accurate, fair, and independent reporting. If we lose their trust, we've failed in our mission regardless of who funds us," Rovoi said.

"When Indigenous voices are included early, when local knowledge is valued, and when relationships are built over time, coverage becomes more accurate, more nuanced, and ultimately more useful for audiences."

Shaldon Ferris, a South African broadcaster from Cultural Survival, said Indigenous communities often recognise changes in the environment long before they appear in scientific studies or political debate.

His message echoed a broader theme throughout the week: journalism works best when local knowledge sits alongside scientific evidence, not behind it.

For Pacific delegates, the forum reinforced that while technology is reshaping the way people consume news, the future of journalism will still depend on something much older: trust, community relationships and telling stories that reflect people's lived experiences.