TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The European News Exchange (ENEX) gathered leading commercial TV broadcasters from around the world in Shanghai from Sept. 26 to 29, including representatives from TVBS News, ENEX's exclusive partner in Taiwan. The event focused on addressing key challenges in the media industry, including the rising influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and the complexities of covering global conflicts.
ENEX Managing Director Adrian Wells highlighted the transformative times facing media organizations. "There's definitely, definitely a period of restructuring, a period of new challenges, a period of having to change, adapt to new technologies, [and] the impact of artificial intelligence," said Wells. He stressed that while no single entity has all the answers, ENEX provides a valuable platform for its members to exchange knowledge and ideas, helping broadcasters navigate this uncertain landscape.
Navigating the Media Revolution
Collaboration was a central theme at the assembly, as media executives discussed both the opportunities and threats posed by the technology. The Shanghai Media Group (SMG), another ENEX's key partners in the region, has been at the forefront of this shift. SMG President Fang Shizhong emphasized the company's commitment to fostering global media cooperation. "After years of effort, we have built an extensive global network of media partnerships. We aim to share news content with media outlets worldwide [and] track trending topics," said Fang.
ENEX has played a pivotal role in connecting broadcasters like SMG and TVBS, enabling content sharing and collaboration on a global scale. "Our ENEX collaboration allows our editors to obtain prime footage from around the world, while providing original content about Taiwan's politics, business, and society to our partners from around the world," said Dimitri Bruyas, head of the English news team at TVBS News.
Artificial intelligence is reshaping how news is gathered and produced. Yingjie Yang, director of International News at SMG, explained how AI tools are being integrated into the newsroom. "We now use an AI system we developed in-house to instantly translate foreign content into Chinese. This significantly enhances the efficiency of our editors, allowing them to work much more effectively," Yang noted. The advancement allows media outlets to streamline operations, particularly when handling large volumes of international content.
However, alongside these technological benefits comes the concern of misinformation and AI-generated disinformation, which media organizations are working to counter. The ENEX platform allows for the pooling of resources and strategies to address these challenges, including fact-checking and content verification tools, which have become essential in the fight against disinformation.
"Our AI-enhanced newsroom provides reporters with tools designed to assist in fact-checking and accelerating news production," remarked Bruyas. "Still, it's essential that our reporters and editors maintain full control over the news production process from start to finish."
Covering Global Conflicts
Beyond AI, discussions at the ENEX General Assembly also revolved around how media outlets handle coverage of significant global events, such as the ongoing war against Hamas in Israel. With the possibility of the conflict spreading to neighboring countries, the role of international broadcasters in providing accurate and nuanced coverage is more crucial than ever.
"Usually, it's much more difficult to get into the details and understand the nuances of the story," said Arad Nir, foreign editor and presenter at Israel's Channel 12. "This is why I am here. I have a chance to chat with people. I think that international media has to know more in order to bring accurate reporting to its audience."
Nir's comments underscore the importance of firsthand reporting and global collaboration in covering complex issues like the Israel-Hamas conflict. ENEX serves as a platform where broadcasters can exchange information, share resources, and ensure that local perspectives are represented in global news coverage.
Celebrating its 30th anniversary last year, ENEX continues to be a crucial player in international broadcasting. Its members, including TVBS, benefit from a collaborative approach to news gathering, allowing them to keep audiences informed about global events while showcasing local perspectives. The challenges posed by AI, misinformation, and global conflicts highlight the need for media organizations to adapt, share knowledge, and collaborate more closely than ever before.
As the media landscape continues to evolve, ENEX remains a vital resource for its members, helping them navigate both technological changes and geopolitical complexities. By fostering collaboration across borders, ENEX ensures that diverse viewpoints are heard on the global stage.
