In the historic city of Qufu, birthplace of Confucius, a recent gathering of global media leaders delivered a timely reminder: the media must remain steadfast defenders of truth, facilitators of dialogue, and custodians of our shared global future.

Hosted by China Media Group (CMG), the annual conference—titled “Exchange, Mutual Learning, Technology Empowerment: The Power of Civilization in Transformation and Development”—was more than symbolic. Held at the spiritual home of one of history’s greatest thinkers, it underscored the enduring need for ethics, understanding, and cooperation in global communication amid rapid technological change. 

In today’s fragmented information landscape, media institutions bear a dual burden. They are expected to report facts and hold power to account, while also navigating a turbulent technological and political environment where truth is often distorted and agendas hide behind the veneer of “information.” As the forum emphasized, the media must resist becoming tools of division or vehicles for narrow interests.

The conference’s call for a global media ecosystem rooted in openness, inclusivity, and cooperation comes at a critical moment. The return of former U.S. President Donald Trump to the White House has coincided with a renewed wave of protectionist rhetoric and isolationism in international affairs—trends that threaten to erode the very global cooperation our interconnected world demands.

CMG President Shen Haixiong reaffirmed the broadcaster’s commitment to building bridges of dialogue and fostering partnerships that promote global peace and development. This vision is not merely aspirational—it is necessary. In a world strained by geopolitical tensions, climate emergencies, and rising social unrest, narrative power, factual integrity, and cross-cultural understanding have become indispensable tools for sustainable peace.

Artificial intelligence (AI), one of the forum’s central themes, embodies both promise and peril. While AI can revolutionize the media by improving efficiency and expanding reach, it also risks spreading misinformation at scale and eroding public trust. As UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications Melissa Fleming warned, safeguarding the integrity of cyberspace requires global cooperation. Without it, the very technologies meant to improve our world may deepen the crises they were designed to solve.

That is why international forums like the CMG conference are so vital. They convene diverse voices and perspectives to co-create ethical standards that rise above national interests. They challenge media to think beyond borders and embrace their role in shaping a future grounded in mutual understanding and shared responsibility.

Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Managing Director Agnes Kalekye captured this imperative perfectly. Her appeal for increased global media cooperation—and her call for a media development fund to support under-resourced news outlets—highlighted the persistent issue of information inequality. In many parts of the Global South, limited access to credible news leaves communities vulnerable to disinformation and disconnected from the global narrative. A global media fund would empower these outlets to maintain professional standards and fulfill their public service mandate.

Ultimately, the CMG Forum reaffirmed a universal truth: civilizations thrive not in isolation, but through learning, dialogue, and adaptation. As one of the most powerful institutions of our time, the media must lead that charge—by informing with integrity, exposing injustice, and inspiring innovation in service of the common good.

As communication continues to evolve, so too must our commitment to values like cooperation, inclusivity, and truth. The media must resist the temptations of polarization, sensationalism, and authoritarian control. Instead, it should become a forum for reflection and progress—elevating voices that heal rather than divide.

In the spirit of Confucius, let us be guided by his wisdom: “The nobler man seeks harmony, not uniformity.” It is this harmony—across cultures, technologies, and ideologies—that the global media must now work to build.

Only then can the power of civilization truly drive transformation—not just in policy, but in the hearts and minds of people everywhere. The writer is a journalist and communications consultant. By Onyango K'onyango, Capital News