APMF 2026: Bernama Calls For Stronger Cross-border Fact-checking, Shared AI Principles

From Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng

SHENZHEN, Sept 5 (Bernama) -- Media organisations across the Asia-Pacific should strengthen cross-border fact-checking and work towards shared professional principles for the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), said Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama) chief executive officer Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin.

She said closer cooperation was increasingly critical as AI, while helping journalists analyse data, translate information and monitor developments, could also generate misinformation, manipulated images, deepfakes and automated disinformation on an unprecedented scale.

"Technology must therefore enhance journalism, not replace its fundamental values. Accuracy, balance, fairness, transparency and human accountability must remain at the heart of what we do," she said in her address at the plenary session of the Asia-Pacific Media Forum (APMF) 2026 here today.

She said media collaboration in the region should now move beyond conventional news exchanges towards practical initiatives that deliver tangible outcomes.

"I believe we should now move beyond conventional news exchanges towards deeper and more meaningful collaboration," she added.

Nur-ul Afida said among the initiatives proposed were joint training in AI, data journalism and multimedia storytelling, as well as journalist exchanges and newsroom attachments, particularly for younger journalists.

She said media organisations could also jointly produce stories on regional issues such as technology, the green economy, education, culture and trade, while giving greater prominence to the lives and aspirations of ordinary people.

She added that Bernama could contribute its experience as a national news agency operating at the heart of ASEAN and within Malaysia’s multilingual and multicultural society.

Bernama, she said, was prepared to share its expertise in multimedia journalism, fact-checking, journalist training and cross-cultural reporting, while serving as a bridge between Malaysia, ASEAN and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

At the same time, Nur-ul Afida said the news agency was keen to learn how other media organisations were harnessing AI responsibly, advancing mobile-first and data journalism, and reaching younger audiences without sacrificing accuracy for speed or popularity.

She said technological disruption was not the only challenge confronting the media, with geopolitical uncertainty, changing audience behaviour and the financial sustainability of credible journalism also reshaping the industry.

The Asia-Pacific should not be portrayed merely as a collection of crises, disputes and economic statistics, as the region was also home to diverse histories, cultures, aspirations and human stories, she said.

"Our role should therefore not merely be to report across borders, but to build understanding across borders," she said.

Nur-ul Afida said Bernama stood ready to help build an Asia-Pacific media community that learns, innovates and verifies together while collectively earning the trust of its audiences.

She said the news agency constantly encountered similar challenges in Malaysia, particularly questions surrounding journalism in the digital and AI era and the financial sustainability of credible journalism.

These issues, she said, were among those discussed at this year's National Journalists' Day (HAWANA) celebration organised by Bernama, which brought together media practitioners to deliberate on the future of the profession.

APMF, organised by Xinhua News Agency and its partners, officially opened here today under the theme "Building a Path to Shared Prosperity for the Asia-Pacific Community: Media Consensus and Action."

The forum is being held during the 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) "China Year", ahead of the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, which Shenzhen will host on Nov 18 and 19.

-- BERNAMA