Journalists attend the conference. Photo: JAK

Some 50 journalists from 47 countries around the world are attending the World Journalists Conference 2023 (WJC), which opened in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, on April 25.

The Vietnam Journalists Association (VJA) sent two representatives to this conference, according to VNA.

WJC 2023 is being held by the Journalists Association of Korea (JKA) with the theme “Leadership in the Digital Transformation Era and the Role of Journalism for Regional Development.”

President of the Journalists Association of Korea Kim Dong Hoon delivers opening speech at the conference. Photo: Nguyen Yen

Kim Dong Hoon, president of the Journalists Association of Korea said during the opening ceremony that JAK hosted conferences online for the past three years because of the Covid-19 pandemic, Korea Times reported.

“We now live in an era where we can access the news and information we need anytime, anywhere with a single smartphone,” Kim said. “Things that were unimaginable just a few years ago have become reality. Science and digital technology are evolving faster than ever. If we do not prepare for our future, journalism may face unprecedented crises.”

“This year. We have carefully selected topics for discussions that will help the journalists and their countries. The topic ‘Challenge of journalism for regional development will help participants to identify the core issues and their solutions to overcome the challenges."

By hosting conferences to discuss journalism and various topics like “Peace on the Korean Peninsula and the World,” “Development and Future of Journalism,” “Climate Change and the Role of Journalism,” and “Preparing for the Post-Covid-19 Era,” it has helped to get our global community ready for the future, Kim said.

On the two topics – “The Challenge of Journalism for Regional Development,” and “Leadership in the Digital Transformation Era and the Future of Journalism” – scheduled for discussion yesterday, Kim said, “It is our duty to contemplate these two topics and find solutions. Although we have different nationalities, races, genders, and ideas, we all share the same identity as journalists who strive for truth, freedom, and peace with sharp reasoning and warm hearts.”

World Journalists Conference 2023 opens in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. Photo: Nguyen Yen

Pyo Wan Soo, chairperson of the Korea Press Foundation, said over a thousand journalists from more than 100 countries have participated since the conference was first held. The World Journalists Conference will serve as a platform for journalists from around the globe to reflect, share ideas, debate, and cooperate.

“I anticipate that various ideas and proposals regarding regional development and the establishment of peace will be presented by journalists worldwide to form a shared understanding,” he said.

In his speech, Choi Youngsam, deputy minister for Political Affairs of RoK’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Korea’s Indo-Pacific Strategy or Strategy for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Indo-Pacific Region which was first announced by President Yoon Suk Yeol at the ASEAN-RoK Summit held last year in Cambodia.

He also said the RoK will work closely with countries in the region, including ASEAN, the RoK-ASEAN solidarity initiative, strengthening the cooperation with countries in Latin America and the Caribbean by posting high-level exchanges, among other things.

Pyo Wan Soo, Chairperson of the Korea Press Foundation, delivers a speech at the conference. Photo: Nguyen Yen

Speakers and participants at the conference on April 25 gave speeches and presentations on “The Challenge of Journalism for the Regional Development” and “Leadership in the Digital Transformation Era and the Future of Journalism.”

The themes are currently of great significance in the media around the world at a time when smartphones are monopolizing the news supply market.

"Journalism is already entering a completely new era as we have moved past the digital transformation phase and are now witnessing the development of generative artificial intelligence (Al), such as ChatGPT," Pyo Wan Soo said.

He added that it is still unclear whether these changes will bring about crisis or opportunity for the field of journalism, but what is clear is that the proper human “verification” of new technologies like ChatGPT has become very important.

“This may be the kind of leadership and function of journalism that the world needs in this day and age,” he said.

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