At the same time, he said, these technological advances have made it easier for misinformation, disinformation, miscommunication and manipulated content to spread across borders.

"As ASEAN works towards the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, these shifts in the information environment have important implications for how we connect and communicate with our peoples. Fostering a stronger sense of regional identity and shared purpose will require sustained and meaningful engagement.

"The media has a unique contribution and unique role to make in that effort. Beyond reporting developments, you can help explain complex issues, connect regional policies with the everyday lives of our citizens and make ASEAN's work more accessible,” he said.

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Kao said generative AI was reshaping how news and information were gathered, produced and distributed, offering opportunities to improve newsroom efficiency and expand multilingual reporting in real time. It also raises concerns over editorial accountability, authenticity, copyright, synthetic media and deepfakes.

"These developments place an even greater premium on professional journalism grounded in verification, context and ethical standards. Public trust, once lost, is difficult to rebuild, making credibility one of the media's most valuable, but also vulnerable, assets,” he said.

Representing the Philippines as ASEAN Chair, Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs Leo M. Herrera-Lim said journalism is integral to the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, with its role spanning across the Political-Security, Economic and Socio-Cultural pillars.

“Across security, economy and society the through-line is the same: an ASEAN that communicates as deliberately as it decides. Taken together, these strategic directions affirmed that media are not merely chroniclers of ASEAN's journey, but essential partners in shaping the region's future.

“As our region navigates complex geopolitical developments, the need for credible and responsible journalism has never been greater. For the Philippines, we regard this as a consequential role for the media,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kao said the AMF provides an opportunity to examine ASEAN's priorities, achievements and challenges alongside regional and global developments. He said the forum also encourages discussion on how journalism and public communication can deepen understanding of ASEAN and its work.

First convened in Manila on Aug 4, 2017, to commemorate ASEAN's 50th anniversary, the AMF has since evolved into a regional platform that brings together journalists, media leaders and policymakers to exchange ideas, strengthen collaboration and promote greater public understanding of ASEAN.

The forum is organised by the ASEAN Secretariat with support from the German government through GIZ.

-- BERNAMA