Local Media Leaders to Discuss AI and Digital Transformation at Jateng Media Summit 2026

The rapid advancement of digital technology, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the way people access information. These changes have inevitably pushed the news media industry into a new era, requiring faster adaptation — particularly among local media outlets.

In response to these developments, Suara.com and Beritajateng.tv will host the Jateng Media Summit 2026 at KHAS Semarang Hotel in Central Java on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

The inaugural forum will bring together local media players, practitioners, and related industry stakeholders from across Central Java and surrounding regions.

Under the theme, “Optimizing Content and Websites to Reach Target Audiences,” the forum will explore both the challenges and opportunities facing the media industry in the digital era. Discussions will also highlight the latest trends in digital technology, including the growing role of AI.

The event will be officially opened by Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, Central Java Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) Speaker for the 2024–2029 term Sumanto, and Berita Jateng TV News Director as well as Chairman of the Jateng Media Summit 2026 Organizing Committee, Akhmad Nurkholis.

Several strategic issues are set to be discussed during the forum, including local government digital communication governance, the use of AI in content production, digital distribution strategies, and emerging business model opportunities for local media.

The summit will feature a series of sessions covering opportunities and challenges for local media in Central Java, innovations in digital media management, and workshops on AI applications for media and emerging local digital platforms.

The session on opportunities and challenges for local media in Central Java will feature prominent speakers, including Suara.com Editor-in-Chief Suwarjono, Indonesian Advertising Companies Association (P3I) Chairman for the 2018–2025 period Janoe Arijanto, Solopos Media Group COO Rini Yustiningsih, and Press Council Digital and Sustainability Commission Chairman for the 2025–2028 term Dahlan Dahi.

Meanwhile, the panel discussion on digital media management innovation will feature Blok Bojonegoro CEO Muhammad Abdul Qohhar, Wonosobo Zone Editor-in-Chief Ilham Ardha Saputra, and Diponegoro University Vice Rector for Research, Innovation, and Cooperation Wijayanto.

The forum will also host a workshop on AI utilization for local media and independent media platforms, led by members of the Google AI Local Media Community at Suara.com, namely Agung Pratnyawan, Chandra Iswinarno, and Elga Maulina Putri.

Closing remarks will be delivered by Suara.com Head of Local Media Community Asep Saefullah.

Suara.com Editor-in-Chief Suwarjono said changing audience behavior means media organizations can no longer survive using traditional approaches. According to him, the media industry has entered a new phase that requires the adoption of modern technologies aligned with evolving audience habits.

“The news media industry is entering a new chapter, a new era, with new audiences following technological advances and shifts in how people consume information. The emergence of technology, aggregator platforms, social media, and AI has completely transformed audiences,” Suwarjono said.

He added that media organizations failing to adapt in content production, distribution, and monetization strategies risk losing relevance and being abandoned by readers.

“If news media fail to evolve, they will be left behind by readers and audiences,” he said.

Suwarjono expressed hope that the forum would produce concrete recommendations to help local media remain resilient and continue growing amid the rapidly changing digital ecosystem.

“We hope this forum will generate recommendations on how local media can face future challenges so that media organizations in Central Java can survive and continue to grow in the years ahead,” he said.