Monica Cheru-Managing Editor
Qufu, Shandong Province, China- Mainstream media should adopt AI and use it to fight disinformation and act to prevent harm caused by fake news, the United Nations has said.
Speaking at the 4th China Media Group Forum in Shandong Province, China, this past Friday, UN Under Secretary-General for Global Communications Ms. Melissa Fleming said the media has a critical role to play in protecting all people from negativity arising from technological advancement in the hands of people intent on causing harm.
The 4th CMG forum held in Confucius’ birthplace of Qufu was attended by over 300 delegates from 95 countries. These included representatives of media organizations like Reuters, AFP, and The Associated Press, as well as journalists from all over the world.
Other speakers at the forum touched on the need for ethical use of AI and the benefit of media synergies to tell compelling stories that celebrate diverse cultures and promote respect for diversity.
CMG has positioned itself as a unique platform bridging cultural diplomacy and technological innovation in global media, and the theme for this year’s event was “Exchange, Mutual Learning, and Technology Empowerment.”
At the same event, CMG launched the 2025 global tour of “China Through Its Intangible Heritage”—an” initiative that sees foreign and local journalists teaming up to explore sites like Qingdao and Confucian heritage hubs.
The annual CMG Forum adds an important global south-driven platform for media development by complementing other events like WAN-IFRA’s World News Media Congress.
While WAN-IFRA prioritizes press freedom, business sustainability, and digital transformation, the CMG Forum carves a niche in fostering state-aligned cultural diplomacy and soft power.
WAN-IFRA equips media with technical tools, while CMG-style platforms offer avenues to monetize cultural content and forge cross-border partnerships.
The forum also launched its research on “Civilizational Exchanges and Media Empowerment,” stressing how technology can democratize access to cultural storytelling
CMG extended invites to its sister event, the Nishan Forum on World Civilizations, which champions dialogue among philosophies.
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