Introduction
The development of digital technology has had a profound influence on the way the media works and the media business model in Southeast Asia. The digital platform has encouraged the traditional mass media to reach the public faster and broader. Media content delivery is no longer dependent on conventional networks such as print media through direct channels to the public and electronic media through traditional radio or television channels only. All media content can now be accessed via digital platforms using computers, smartphones, or other gadgets.
Likewise, Southeast Asia’s mass media business model has also undergone drastic changes due to interference from digital platforms. The challenge is that the owner of these digital companies came from the United States. Therefore, these companies are generally out of reach of the laws of the countries in Southeast Asia. That is why digital platform companies take business value in these digital platforms, hence, mass media advertising. It means that the mass media revenue has been declining. This impact has already been experienced in Indonesia, Thailand, and several other countries in the Southeast Asian region.
The impact of this digital platform on the press in Southeast Asia has already been noticed before the COVID-19 pandemic. Information traffic through digital platforms is very intensive, especially with the presence of social media. After COVID19 taken place, the impact of this digital technology is getting stronger. The implication is that the press will face challenges to survive in the digital ecosystem.
One of the efforts to face the challenges of the digital ecosystem is media collaboration in the Southeast Asia region. This collaboration can be started by sharing experiences of mass media in the era of digital platforms. Then from sharing these experiences, a joint solution could be found so that the press could survive for an extended period. In addition, the media in Southeast Asia could also learn from other countries how to adapt to the media that is facing the development of the digital ecosystem.
As it is explained that the press has a role in democratic life in Southeast Asia, it is essential to maintain the existence of the media despite the new challenges of the digital ecosystem. With this new digital ecosystem, the press should have a broader reach to the public in raising issues related to the public interest. Likewise, the public has wide access to the media to determine political, economic, social, and cultural developments in their environment. International seminar on the need for collaboration mass media in facing the challenges of the digital ecosystem is needed to understand and find solutions for how the press survive today and create content that could be accepted by the audience anywhere and anytime.
Objectives
- To discuss various challenges of a digital ecosystem for mass media in Southeast Asia.
- To exchange ideas on how the press in the region deals with the digital ecosystem.
- To discuss a model for collaboration among Southeast Asia’s media in facing digital ecosystem.
Outcomes
- Seminar Proceeding
- Reporting
Panelists and Topics
First Session (Duration: +/- 60 mins, including discussion) Third S Countries: Indonesia, Thailand & Timor Leste Topics: In Searching Model of Collaboration among Southeast Asia Media in Digital Ecosystem (How collaboration could be a powerful way in dealing with digital platform ecosystem) Speakers: Bambang Harymurti (Senior Journalist from Indonesia); Agus Sudibyo (Indonesian Press Council) Kavi Chongkittavorn (National Press Council of Thailand). Virgili da Silva Guterres (Conselho de Imprensa, Timor-Leste)
Second Session (Duration: +/- 60 mins, including discussion) Countries: Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines Topics: Content Creation in Digital Ecosystem, Information Dissemination for Millennials, Business Model for Media in Digital Ecosystem Speakers: Tan Sri Johan Jaaffar (Malaysian Senior Journalist)
Third Session (Duration: +/- 60 mins, including discussion) Countries: Singapore, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia Topics: Speakers: Joon-Nie Lau/ WAN IFRA (Singapore), Sao Phal Niseiy / Thmey Thmey (Cambodia)
Time
August 6, 2021
13.00 – 16.00 Indonesian Western Time
Zoom Virtual Meeting
Agenda
12.45-13.00 Panelists and Participants Join the Meeting
13.00-13.15 Opening Remarks from Chairperson SEAPC-Net Mohammad Nuh
13.15-15.50 International Seminar
15.50-16.00 Closing Remarks
Southeast Asian Press Council Network 