The 16th edition of the New.Now.Next Media Conference (N3Con), hosted by the Asia Chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA-Asia), will take place from May 21–23 at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. The event also marks the 30th anniversary of AAJA's Asia Chapter.
This year's conference will bring together journalists, editors, technologists and media innovators from across the region to confront the defining challenge of the moment: how to harness artificial intelligence responsibly, cost-effectively and in a manner consistent with journalism's core values.
AI at the Centre: Ethics, Strategy and Practice
Artificial intelligence is reshaping the foundations of journalism, from how stories are produced to how audiences discover and engage with news. N3Con 2026 will examine AI from multiple angles: as a practical reporting tool, as a subject demanding rigorous scrutiny, and as a force with far-reaching implications for data governance, algorithmic bias and automated decision-making.
A dedicated panel featuring senior figures from the BBC, Agence France-Presse and the Center for News, Technology & Innovation will address the ethical, regulatory and strategic dimensions of AI adoption in newsrooms.
Hands-on workshops led by Data and AI Ethics PH will offer journalists practical methods for using AI to deepen investigations and streamline workflows, while a fireside chat with Anjali Kapoor, director of AI, Innovation and Growth at the BBC, will explore how news organisations can better engage future audiences.
Beyond AI: Climate, Collaboration and the Creator Economy
The conference will also tackle climate reporting, introducing the Climate Collaboration Challenge Asia, and examine China's environmental footprint and political influence in Southeast Asia. Sessions on solutions journalism, business journalism and interactive data storytelling reflect the conference's emphasis on practical, forward-looking skills.
N3Con 2026 will also address the growing competition from content creators and influencers, with discussions on how traditional journalists can rethink audience engagement and revenue strategies in what organisers call the "creator era".
Press Freedom and Journalist Safety
Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), and Eric Wishart, standards and ethics editor at Agence France-Presse, will lead sessions on building resilience against harassment and violence in Asian newsrooms. A separate session will focus on protecting journalists' digital security, including data, sources and communications, and responding to online harassment.
Geopolitics in Focus
A major plenary session will examine US-Asia relations in what organisers describe as a "fractured world", addressing how journalists can cover complex geopolitical developments with accuracy, independence and nuance.
Visit the N3Con 2026 official page.
