In the historic city of Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius, a recent gathering of global media leaders underscored a truth that resonates deeply in today’s fractured information landscape: media must be the unwavering defenders of truth, builders of dialogue, and custodians of a shared global future.
Hosted by China Media Group (CMG), the annual conference titled “Exchange, Mutual Learning, Technology Empowerment – The Power of Civilization in Transformation and Development,” offered more than just a symbolic venue. It served as a powerful reminder that amid unprecedented technological transformation, the principles of dialogue, ethics, and mutual understanding must remain the cornerstone of global communication.
In an age defined by both opportunity and upheaval, media houses around the world face a daunting dual responsibility. On one hand, they are tasked with reporting facts and holding power to account. On the other, they must navigate an increasingly complex technological and political terrain where truth can be manipulated, and agendas often masquerade as information. As the conference emphasized, the media cannot and must not become instruments of narrow interest or tools of disunity.
The forum’s emphasis on building a global media ecosystem rooted in openness, inclusivity, and cooperation comes at a crucial time. The return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House earlier this year has coincided with a noticeable resurgence of protectionist rhetoric and isolationist tendencies in international relations. This inward turn risks undermining the very spirit of global cooperation that today’s interconnected challenges demand.
As highlighted by CMG President Shen Haixiong, CMG remains committed to being a bridge of dialogue, collaborating with international partners to inject the strength of civilization into global peace and development. This vision is not just aspirational—it is imperative. In a world grappling with geopolitical tensions, climate crises, and social unrest, the power of narrative, the integrity of information, and the ability to foster cross-cultural understanding are critical levers for sustainable peace.
Artificial intelligence (AI), a central theme of the forum, presents both a transformative promise and a cautionary tale. As several speakers noted, AI has the potential to revolutionize the media industry by enhancing productivity and reach. Yet, as Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, cautioned, it also introduces significant risks—chief among them, the erosion of trust and the spread of misinformation at scale. Fleming’s call for global cooperation to restore integrity in cyberspace should not be taken lightly. Without collaborative safeguards, AI could exacerbate the very crises it aims to solve.
This is where the role of international forums like CMG’s becomes indispensable. By bringing together diverse voices, experiences, and perspectives, such platforms help forge a common understanding of challenges and co-create ethical frameworks that transcend national interests. They encourage the media to think beyond borders and embrace their role in shaping a community with a shared future for humanity.
KBC Managing Director Agnes Kalyekye’s remarks echoed this sentiment. Her appeal for media cooperation to ensure no part of the world is left behind highlights an often-overlooked reality: information inequality. Many regions still struggle with limited access to credible news, leaving populations vulnerable to misinformation and exclusion from the global discourse. Her suggestion for a global media fund is timely and worthy of serious consideration. Such a mechanism could empower under-resourced media outlets, especially in the Global South, to uphold professional standards and fulfill their public duty without financial constraints.
Ultimately, the CMG Forum reminded us that civilizations grow stronger not in isolation, but through engagement, learning, and adaptation. The media, as one of the most influential institutions in modern society, has a duty to lead this process—not only by disseminating facts but by cultivating empathy, exposing injustice, and championing innovation that serves the public good.
As technology continues to reshape the contours of communication, the values of integrity, cooperation, and inclusiveness must not be left behind. Media must resist the allure of polarization, sensationalism, and state-controlled narratives that stifle dissent and diversity. Instead, they must strive to be spaces of reflection and reason—amplifying voices that unite rather than divide.
In the spirit of Confucius, whose teachings still echo through Qufu’s ancient courtyards, let us remember that “The nobler man seeks harmony, not uniformity.” It is this harmony—across cultures, technologies, and ideologies—that the global media must now work together to cultivate.
Only then can the power of civilization truly be harnessed for transformation and development—not just in policy, but in the hearts and minds of people everywhere.
The writer is a Journalist and Communications consultant
