KATHMANDU, MAY 5

Marking World Press Freedom Day 2025, a regional conference held in Kathmandu on Saturday brought together over 100 journalists, editors, academics, policymakers, and digital rights advocates from six South Asian countries to explore the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the media.

Organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Government of Nepal, the Federation of Nepali Journalists, the International Federation of Journalists, and the Centre for Investigative Journalism Nepal, the daylong conference-held under the global theme 'Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom'-brought together participants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Underpinning this year's global theme, 'Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom,' the daylong event included journalists, editors, civil society actors, experts, policymakers, academics, and digital rights advocates.

'We now need to equip journalists with tools to navigate an ever-changing digital era. As AI-driven media production expands, we must ensure it does not further exacerbate inequalities or silence diverse voices. We need to create a future where journalists-especially women and those from marginalized communities-can work safely, securely, and sustainably,' said Hanaa Singer Hamdy, UN Resident Coordinator to Nepal, stressing everyone's responsibility to ensure that AI serves democracy, empowers citizens, and protects-not stifles-press freedom.

The unprecedented development and application of AI systems and new technologies are revolutionizing how information is gathered, processed, and disseminated. While emerging technologies, including AI, present exciting opportunities to democratize access to information, amplify global communication, and reshape the flow of news worldwide, the conference also examined how these same technologies are posing significant challenges, including threats to freedom of expression, information integrity, journalism ethics, misinformation, disinformation, and media viability, according to the press release issued by the UNESCO.

The event featured panel discussions, simulations, and expert presentations, including a group exercise led by TOUGH Talk producer Dil Bhusan Pathak and a session on algorithmic bias and data rights by computer scientist Dr. Dovan Rai from Body and Data.

Stating that there is a need to provide adequate training to journalists from across the region on utilizing emerging technologies and AI, now that media professionals have begun using them in their professional workspaces, Nirmala Sharma, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, said, 'We need to create laws involving and engaging a wide range of relevant stakeholders. By doing so, we can ensure that the laws made will be stronger and in support of the media and media professionals,' she said.

UNESCO Representative to Nepal Jaco Du Toit called for a rights-based approach to AI in the newsroom. 'Let us keep a rights-based approach when using AI in the media industry and formulate concrete recommendations of different stakeholders so that its use can help thrive the media.'

The conference also highlighted the need for robust training, ethical standards, and regional cooperation to ensure that AI serves democratic values and enhances rather than erodes press freedom, the release further stated.

Participants unanimously agreed on the urgency of adopting responsible AI practices, promoting Media and Information Literacy, and fostering critical thinking among media users-key steps in restoring public trust in journalism in the digital age, it noted.