Local Media Leaders Navigate the Digital Age at Suara.com Summit

TheIndonesia.id - Over 300 CEOs and editors-in-chief from local media outlets across Indonesia convened at the Local Media Summit 2024, a two-day event hosted by Suara.com at the Golden Ballroom 3 The Sultan Hotel, Jakarta.

This annual event brought together industry leaders, investors, advertisers, government officials, academics, and NGOs to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing local media in the digital era.

The summit highlighted the critical role of local media in shaping communities and providing accurate, relevant news. Participants explored a wide range of topics, including the impact of social media, artificial intelligence (AI), and the increasing reliance on content aggregators.

"The media landscape is evolving rapidly, and local media outlets are at the forefront of this transformation," said Mr Suwarjono, Editor-in-Chief of Suara.com. "This summit provides a platform for industry leaders to share best practices, network, and find innovative solutions to the challenges we face."

Key themes discussed at the summit included:

The rise of 'homeless media': The proliferation of social media has created new opportunities for content creators, but it has also led to concerns about the quality and accuracy of information.

The impact of AI: Participants explored how AI can be used to enhance journalism, but also discussed the potential risks of relying too heavily on automated content generation.

Building strong communities: Local media outlets were encouraged to focus on building strong relationships with their audiences and fostering a sense of community.

The importance of international collaboration: Representatives from the European Union emphasized the need for global cooperation to address the challenges facing journalism.

Ms Eva Danayanti, IMS Programme Country Manager Indonesia, stressed the importance of adapting to the changing needs of younger audiences who consume news differently.

"Local media must find innovative ways to engage with these audiences and provide them with the information they need," she said.

Mr Thibaut Portevin, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam, highlighted the exciting opportunities presented by the intersection of journalism and technology.

"The EU is committed to supporting media freedom and promoting high-quality journalism," he said. "We believe that local media play a crucial role in democratic societies."

As the summit concluded, participants expressed optimism about the future of local media. With the support of organizations like Suara.com, IMS and the EU, local media outlets are well-positioned to navigate the challenges of the digital age and continue to serve their communities.