Jatim Media Summit 2026: East Java Government Calls on Media to Strengthen the Creative Economy Ecos

The East Java Provincial Government believes that the media's role has evolved beyond simply delivering information. In an era marked by rapid advances in digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the media is now seen as a key driver of the region's creative economy.

The message was delivered during the opening of the Jatim Media Summit (JMS) 2026, held at Whiz Luxe Hotel in Surabaya on Thursday (July 30, 2026).

In a written speech delivered by East Java Provincial Secretary Adhy Karyono on behalf of Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, the provincial government expressed its appreciation for the summit, describing it as a strategic forum to strengthen collaboration within the media ecosystem and support the development of the creative economy.

According to Adhy, the media industry is undergoing a pivotal transformation that goes far beyond the shift from conventional to digital platforms. The change also affects how information is produced, distributed, consumed, and ultimately generates economic value.

Carrying the theme "Creative Economy Ecosystem and Beyond Media Transformation in East Java," the summit addresses the challenges and opportunities arising from AI, global digital platforms, and changing audience behavior.

"To be honest, the media industry is experiencing a major transformation. It's not merely about moving from conventional to digital media, but about understanding how information is consumed by audiences whose behavior continues to evolve. News has a significant impact on the economy, particularly the creative economy. As information travels faster and AI becomes more prevalent, the key challenge is not only adopting technology but also embracing a new way of thinking—going beyond media," Adhy said.

One of the central issues highlighted was AI's ability to instantly process and summarize information, while media organizations continue to bear the costs of reporting, fact-checking, and producing quality journalism. This, he said, underscores the importance of stronger governance, copyright protection, and the fair and responsible use of journalistic content in the AI era.

"We emphasize that the concept of Beyond Media should not be interpreted merely as digital technology adoption. It represents a transformation in mindset—building a media industry that creates added value, strengthens the creative economy, safeguards information credibility, and fosters collaboration among government, businesses, academia, communities, and the public," Adhy explained.

He also stressed that amid the overwhelming flow of information, the media's greatest asset is not information itself, but public trust. In the future, media competitiveness will depend less on speed and more on its ability to maintain accuracy, integrity, and credibility.

"For us, the media is a strategic partner in regional development. It is not merely a channel for communicating government policies, but an essential part of transparent governance, a healthy public dialogue, and a driving force for the creative economy that enhances East Java's competitiveness," he said.

Adhy added that strengthening the media ecosystem should be viewed as a long-term investment to improve democratic quality, enhance public literacy, stimulate creative economy innovation, and reinforce regional information resilience amid increasingly complex global dynamics.

He expressed hope that Jatim Media Summit 2026 would not only serve as a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences but also produce strategic recommendations and concrete policy proposals to build a more adaptive, professional, and sustainable media ecosystem capable of contributing to regional development and Indonesia's progress.

Jatim Media Summit 2026 once again brings together media professionals, policymakers, academics, creative industry players, and business leaders to discuss the future of the media industry in the face of digital disruption while exploring new opportunities within the creative economy ecosystem.

Held on July 30, 2026, at Whiz Luxe Hotel Spazio, Surabaya, the summit also features a series of training sessions before and after the main event to strengthen the capacity of media organizations and content creators.

Under the theme "Creative Economy Ecosystem and Beyond Media Transformation in East Java," the forum aims to encourage discussions on media business transformation, technology adoption, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the long-term sustainability of the media industry.