Jatim Media Summit 2026 Set to Explore the Future of Media and the Creative Economy

Jatim Media Summit (JMS) 2026 will bring together media professionals, policymakers, academics, and industry leaders to discuss the future of journalism in the digital era and explore new opportunities within the creative economy. The summit, to be held on 30 July 2026 at Whiz Luxe Hotel Spazio, Surabaya, will also feature capacity-building programmes before and after the main conference to strengthen the skills of media professionals and content creators.

This year's summit carries the theme "Creative Economy Ecosystem and Beyond Media Transformation in East Java." The programme will explore how local media can adapt to technological disruption, develop sustainable business models, and strengthen collaboration across sectors.

Indonesia's Minister of Creative Economy, Teuku Riefky Harsya, is scheduled to officially open the summit and deliver the keynote address. East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has also confirmed her attendance and will join the opening ceremony alongside Suara.com Editor-in-Chief Suwarjono and Beritajatim.com CEO Dwi Eko Lokononto.

The summit will feature speakers from the media, creative industries, government, academia, and the private sector. The opening conference, "Media Ecosystems and Local Business in the Beyond Media Era," will bring together Suwarjono, Vicky Arief Herinadharma, Executive Chair of the Indonesian Creative Cities Network (ICCN), David Santoso, CEO of KEK Singhasari, and Pradhana Harsaputera, Secretary General of the Indonesian Advertising Companies Association (P3I).

Another session, "Local Media and SMEs: Moving Beyond Publishing Towards Business Growth," will feature Marchelo, Corporate Communication Lead at Bank Jago, Hendra Hutagalung, Lead of Commercial Creative at Suara Surabaya, and Abdul Qohar, CEO of BlokBojonegoro.

The third panel, "Nurturing Creative Spaces, Building Ecosystems: Strategic Collaboration and Digital Security for East Java's Creative Industry," will feature Andi Said Tandio, CEO of Riplay Studio Surabaya, and Artika Farmita, a fact-checking trainer.

The closing conference will focus on "A Roadmap for East Java's Media Ecosystem," with Sherlita Ratna Dewi Agustin, Head of East Java's Communication and Information Office, Wenseslaus Manggut, Chief Operating Officer of KapanLagi Youniverse, and Prof. Dr Martadi from Universitas Negeri Surabaya.

East Java Provincial Secretary Adhy Karyono is expected to deliver the closing remarks, while Suwarjono and Dwi Eko Lokononto will wrap up the summit by highlighting its key takeaways and recommendations.

Beyond the Main Summit
Jatim Media Summit 2026 will also include two dedicated training programmes.

On 29 July, one day before the main summit, organisers will hold a Technical Training on Government Social Media and Website Management, attended by representatives from communications offices and regional legislative secretariats across more than 30 municipalities and regencies in East Java. The training will be led by certified instructors from the Local Media Community and Suara.com.

On 31 July, the day after the summit, organisers will host a workshop titled "Digital Security for Gen Z Content Creators." Supported by International Media Support (IMS), the workshop will provide practical training on digital literacy and cybersecurity for young content creators.

Looking Beyond Traditional Media
Suara.com Editor-in-Chief Suwarjono said Jatim Media Summit 2026 is designed not merely as a conference but as a platform to encourage media organisations to rethink their role in a rapidly changing industry.

"At a time when traditional revenue streams are shrinking, media organisations can no longer rely on business as usual. We need to think more transformatively about what the future of media looks like," he said.
According to Suwarjono, the creative economy should become a new growth engine for media organisations.

"Media can no longer depend solely on journalism to generate traffic and advertising revenue. It must evolve by creating new business opportunities through innovation, collaboration, and intellectual property," he added.
Beritajatim.com CEO Dwi Eko Lokononto shared a similar view, saying East Java's creative economy presents enormous opportunities for local media.

"East Java is one of Indonesia's largest provinces, with a thriving creative economy. Media organisations are already part of that ecosystem, and there remains significant untapped potential," he said.
Through the theme "Creative Economy Ecosystem and Beyond Media Transformation in East Java," the organisers hope Jatim Media Summit 2026 will inspire local media to move beyond their traditional role as publishers and become active players in building a stronger, more sustainable creative economy.