New.Now.Next Media Conference

    Bangkok 29-31 May 2025

    #NewNowNextMediaConference2025

    AAJA-Asia is proud to celebrate the 15th edition of the New.Now.Next Media Conference (N3Con), set to take place May 29-31 at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok, Thailand.

    Under the theme “INNOVATING JOURNALISM, EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES“, this year’s conference offers Asia’s news professionals a dynamic platform to network, enhance their skills, engage in crucial discussions, and collaboratively address the challenges facing today’s media landscape. The program is designed to equip participants with cutting-edge tools and best practices to enhance their reporting, foster collaboration, and better serve the diverse communities they are covering across the Asia-Pacific region.

    N3Con 2025’s keynote speaker, Julie Pace, executive editor of the Associated Press, along with prominent reporters and editors from leading international and Asian news outlets, will cover topics like the transformative effect of Generative AI on news content production and distribution, and the Trump administration’s impact on the global news ecosystem and US-Asia relations.

    Join us for thought-provoking discussions on how to produce impact-driven journalism, improve the coverage of underrepresented communities and harness the power of GenAI, data journalism and documentaries. Explore new beats and learn about gender-sensitive storytelling, solutions journalism and cross-border investigative projects. Participants will also have the opportunity to receive career guidance, engage in one-on-one coaching, meet journalism talent recruiters and debate how journalists can learn from social media influencers.

    At this important moment for the news industry, AAJA-Asia is looking forward to welcoming you to the Land of Smiles for N3Con 2025.

    Agenda

    Sessions on 29 May in the morning (from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm) are in Thai only. All other sessions on 30-31 May are in English. (Click on the headlines to read sessions’ descriptions and venue)

    All N3Con 2025 sessions will take place Chulalongkorn university’s Faculty of Communication and Arts, 254 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    Expand All +

    • 29 May

      Thu

    • 30 May

      Fri

    • 31 May

      Sat

    • พิธีเปิดงานประชุม N3Con 2025 โดย AAJA-Asia และคณะนิเทศศาสตร์ จุฬาลงกรณ์มหาวิทยาลัย ตามด้วยการมอบรางวัลให้กับผู้ชนะการแข่งขัน Fact-athon 2025.

      (Session in Thai only)
      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor) - - Chulalongkorn university, Faculty of Communication and Arts., 54 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    • Are you a mid-career manager or leader looking to evolve your career path in the dynamic digital media industry? Join our free Leadership Coaching Program speed sessions where we'll explore strategies to help you navigate and future-proof your skillset in the evolving technology and media business landscape.

      Led by Anjali Kapoor, an established media executive with over 20+ years of experience in building digital business strategies and product solutions in large media and technology companies.

      Some focus areas of potential coaching topics include:

      Enhance Your People-First Leadership Skills: Learn how to motivate and empower cross-functional teams to deliver strategic goals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work culture.

      Develop Your Digital Transformation Expertise: Learn how to develop business development digital thinking and future skill sets to help you influence digital transformation change within your organization.

      Expand Your Networking and Mentorship Opportunities: Build your own “board of directors” mentoring team and expand your networking capabilities to equip you with future skills and opportunities in your career path.

      Open session: Leadership coaching on current career path and opportunities.

      If you are looking to take your career to the next step or navigate influencing and learning in the complex digital media space join us today and unlock your potential as a future-ready media leader. Sessions are limited and for AAJA-Asia members only.

      Please note: Coaching 1:1 sessions for 30 minutes can be booked through the RSVP form sent to all registered participants on 20 May.

    • สนทนากับผู้นำในอุตสาหกรรมข่าวของไทย เกี่ยวกับการบูรณาการ AI เข้าสู่การดำเนินงานในกองบรรณาธิการ โดยเน้นถึงความท้าทายที่เกิดจากนวัตกรรม AI และการปรับตัวที่จำเป็นสำหรับนักข่าว

      Thai news leaders discussed the integration of AI into their newsrooms’ operations, focusing on the challenges posed by AI innovations and the necessary adaptations for journalists.

      (Session in Thai only)
      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor) - Chulalongkorn university, Faculty of Communication and Arts., 54 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    • เรียนรู้วิธีใช้ Google Gemini สำหรับการเล่าเรื่องอย่างสร้างสรรค์ เขียนคำสั่งอย่างมืออาชีพ และค้นหาข้อมูลเชิงลึกด้านข่าวด้วย NotebookLM

      (Session in Thai only)
      Workshop
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor) - Chulalongkorn university, Faculty of Communication and Arts., 54 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    • Learn how to use Google Gemini for creative storytelling, write professional prompts, and getting news insight with NotebookLM. (Session in English only)

      (Session in English with translation into Thaï / เซสชั่นแปลเป็นภาษาไทย)
      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor) - - Chulalongkorn university, Faculty of Communication and Arts., 54 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    • New to N3Con? Connect with AAJA-Asia board members and veteran N3Con participants for valuable tips and insights to maximize your experience during this 3-day conference. Come prepared with questions and take advantage of this opportunity to network with fellow attendees.
      Networking
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • Local and international journalists based in Southeast Asia share their on-the-ground reporting experience in cross-border issues, such as human trafficking, crimes, and online scammers. What are the challenges covering these sensitive topics?

      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • In the wake of each U.S. presidential election, journalists meticulously analyze how the incoming administration will navigate the delicate economic and geopolitical landscape of the Asia-Pacific region, particularly regarding China and India. Trump’s return to the White House has intensified this scrutiny, creating unprecedented uncertainty around familiar flashpoints - from US-China trade tensions to South China Sea territorial disputes. Beyond these traditional concerns, Trump's presidency has fundamentally disrupted the global media ecosystem through multiple channels: dismantling USAID programs, engaging in direct confrontation with prominent news organizations, and exerting substantial pressure on foreign governments to abandon regulatory frameworks for online content moderation.

      In this session, leading media experts from international and regional news organizations will discuss how these seismic shifts are impacting the US-Asia relations and affecting their reporting practices.
      Plenary Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor) - Chulalongkorn university, Faculty of Communication and Arts., 254 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    • AAJA-Asia Student Representative and photographer Bing Hong Lok will offer individual photo shooting sessions of portraits participants can use for their CVs and social media. (Clinic bookings can be made through the registered participants RSVP form)
      Where
      Photo Studio - Floor 1

    • As Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of The Associated Press (AP), Julie Pace leads global news coverage from more than 100 countries. In this fireside chat, we will discuss Pace’s career itinerary, from her beginnings as a television reporter in South Africa in 2003 to the challenges and achievements that have defined her tenure as AP's top editor. Since Pace assumed the role in 2021, AP has significantly expanded its digital news offerings, received major international awards – including an Oscar, BAFTA, World Press Photo of the Year and several Pulitzers – and set industry standards on using generative AI in the newsroom.

      Drawing on her previous experience as Washington Bureau Chief and White House Correspondent, Pace will also offer unique insights into the initial months of the second Trump presidency and the role that AP plays in U.S. elections.

      Conversation moderated by Zela Chin, Supervising Producer at TVB and AAJA-Asia President
      Plenary Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • According to the Global Climate Risk Index, six Asian nations - Myanmar, Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam, and Thailand - rank among the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change. Southeast Asia in particular faces an escalating array of threats, including devastating droughts, cyclones, rising sea levels, floods, and landslides. Documenting how these disasters impact communities across an extraordinarily diverse and complex region is a particularly challenging endeavor.

      This session brings together experienced climate reporters and editors who will showcase their latest work and share practical strategies for more effective climate reporting from these critical frontlines.

      Plenary Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • Starting with an icebreaker exercise, this fun session is for conference participants to get a chance to mingle, make new connections, and interact with journalism talent recruiters from leading media organizations. The audience will be divided by seniority level in groups of no more than 10 participants and each group will be assigned a mentor / moderator for the afternoon coaching session.
      Careers
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • Are you a mid-career manager or leader looking to evolve your career path in the dynamic digital media industry? Join our free Leadership Coaching Program speed sessions where we'll explore strategies to help you navigate and future-proof your skillset in the evolving technology and media business landscape.

      Led by Anjali Kapoor, an established media executive with over 20+ years of experience in building digital business strategies and product solutions in large media and technology companies.

      Some focus areas of potential coaching topics include:

      Enhance Your People-First Leadership Skills: Learn how to motivate and empower cross-functional teams to deliver strategic goals, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work culture.

      Develop Your Digital Transformation Expertise: Learn how to develop business development digital thinking and future skill sets to help you influence digital transformation change within your organization.

      Expand Your Networking and Mentorship Opportunities: Build your own “board of directors” mentoring team and expand your networking capabilities to equip you with future skills and opportunities in your career path.

      Open session: Leadership coaching on current career path and opportunities.

      If you are looking to take your career to the next step or navigate influencing and learning in the complex digital media space join us today and unlock your potential as a future-ready media leader. Sessions are limited and for AAJA-Asia members only.

      Please note: Coaching 1:1 sessions for 30 minutes can be booked through the RSVP form sent to all registered participants on 20 May.

    • This interactive session offers a structured approach to career advancement tailored specifically for journalists at every stage of their career - from emerging reporters to established mid-career professionals. Under the guidance of seasoned newsroom leaders and professional coaches, participants will engage in experience-based discussion groups. Through collaborative dialogue and expert facilitation, you'll gain valuable insights into current industry trends and get tips for developing concrete strategies for your next career move, and build a practical roadmap to achieve your professional goals.
      Careers
      Mentoring
      Where
      Rooms 1001/1002/1003/1004 (10th Floor) and 1101 (11th Floor)

    • In an era where misinformation spreads faster than facts, the integrity of news is under constant threat. As tech giants pull back on content moderation and AI-generated disinformation becomes more sophisticated, journalists and media organizations face the challenge to produce accurate news content and protect public trust without playing into the hands of authoritarian governments seeking to weaponize the "fake news" narrative to tighten their grip on media and restrict citizens' freedom of expression?

      This session will highlight best practices in combating disinformation across various Asian countries and explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration in addressing this critical issue. It will also explore how blockchain-backed provenance solutions are redefining news credibility, from securing visual evidence to ensuring content traceability.

      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • The AI revolution in journalism isn't coming - it's here. This hands-on workshop shows you how to use readily available AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to enhance your journalism. We'll cut through the hype to focus on what matters: practical tips for your daily work regardless of your technical background. You'll leave with tested techniques and prompts ready to use in your next story.
      Workshop
      Where
      Seminar room 1001 (10th floor)

    • Local journalism is vital for fostering civic engagement and empowering active citizenship. By covering local government meetings, elections, and community events, journalists provide residents with the information they need to navigate issues that directly affect their lives. However, the disruption of the traditional media business model has led to widespread layoffs and shutdowns, creating news deserts that left many communities without local coverage. This session will highlight inspiring initiatives that aim to revitalize local journalism, ensure fair representation, and amplify the voices of underrepresented communities in the stories that matter most to them.
      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1004 (10th floor)

    • After an intense conference day, come relax with drinks and delicious finger food in the inviting atmosphere of the FCCT! It will be the perfect chance to catch up with old friends, make new connections, and enjoy a fun evening in great company.

    • Stick around at the FCCT after the reception to watch Alaa - Rising Tides, Rising Voices, a documentary that sheds light on the struggles of a small scale fishing community in India, amid natural and man-made climate crises, and their local solutions that bear a global resonance.

      SUMMARY

      Along Kerala's arresting coastline, home to hundreds of fishing communities, Alaa follows Sindhu, a local climate activist and the daughter of a fisherman.

      Sindu and her fellow youth have set up a coastal communities forum to combat coastal erosion, loss of marine diversity and rising sea levels. The children of fishermen and women, they are feeling the direct impacts in the form of displacement, loss of livelihoods and forced migration. Sindu is part of a new generation of activists from communities most impacted by climate change, who are driving solutions to protect their way of life.
      Where
      FCCT

    • Nearly two years after the launch of ChatGPT in July 2023, major international news brands have actively embraced GenAI, developing a range of innovative products based on this cutting-edge technology. For smaller newsrooms with limited technical expertise and financial resources, GenAI adoption has been more gradual and cautious. However, agile small and medium-sized Asian news outlets are already rolling out smart and inspiring AI-driven solutions. Join this session to hear directly from the leaders behind these projects as they share the challenges they faced, their successes, and the next steps they are planning for.

      Plenary Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor) - - Chulalongkorn university, Faculty of Communication and Arts., 254 Phaya Thai Rd, Wang Mai, Pathum Wan, Bangkok 10330

    • Ritu Kapur is the co-founder and managing director of Quint Digital Limited, the organization behind The Quint, an award-winning independent news site in India. The Quint has earned numerous accolades, including the Best News Website award for two consecutive years at the WAN-IFRA South Asian Digital Media Awards.

      In this fireside chat, Kapur will share her journey in the news industry as both a journalist and media entrepreneur. She will also offer her unique perspective on the global challenges facing the news industry, drawing from her experience as a member of the advisory boards of Oxford University’s Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, WAN-IFRA’s World Editors Forum, and the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).

      Conversation moderated by Tham Seenhau, Head of Operations, at Malaysiakini
      Plenary Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • The sudden disruption of USAID funding is sending shockwaves through the Asian news ecosystem. What are the critical gaps and challenges that need immediate attention? How are media development organizations and their partners adapting to the changing funding landscape in Asia? Leading media development agencies in the region will share with N3Con participants the innovative funding models they are exploring and the strategic steps they are taking to sustain journalism moving forward.

      Where
      Seminar room 1001 (10th floor)

    • How can news media not only survive but thrive by finding creative, compelling, and engaging ways to present news stories that resonate with today’s audience? This session will explore innovative approaches to packaging and distributing news content, including collaborations with other media formats such as documentaries, fictional films, social media, infographics, and more, to attract and engage new audiences.

      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1004 (10th floor)

    • AAJA-Asia recently launched a gender-sensitive reporting stylebook to help journalists accurately and neutrally portray gender-related elements in their reporting. While this valuable resource can serve as a foundation, this conference session - led by Bhanupriya Rao, founder and editor of Behanbox - will demonstrate how applying a gender lens throughout the news production process creates opportunities for more accurate and impactful journalism—from story identification and source selection to pitching, production, and audience engagement.

      Founded in India in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, BehanBox ("Voices of Sisters" in Hindi) is an award-winning online news platform dedicated to deep storytelling that explores the intersection of gender, marginalization, and public policy.
      Workshop
      Where
      Seminar room 1004 (10th floor)

    • This session will explore how to shift from high-cost, travel-heavy reporting to a low-cost, decentralized model by empowering local journalists with the tools and training they need to cover their communities. We’ll discuss how narrowcasting and local meetups can help beat social media algorithms, allowing local reporters to connect directly with their audiences. The session will also highlight how this approach creates jobs, fosters community resilience, and amplifies local solutions that can inspire broader change.
      Workshop
      Where
      Seminar room 1001 (10th floor)

    • In an era of synthetic media, manipulated content, and eroding public trust, newsrooms must evolve. This session explores how Web3 technologies—like decentralized storage, blockchain, and digital provenance—are reshaping the way journalists verify, protect, and share their work. From safeguarding visual evidence to proving authorship in court, we’ll examine practical tools already in use by pioneering media teams. You’ll hear from technologists and journalists on the front lines of building transparency into the news ecosystem. Join us to discover how a trust-by-design approach can future-proof journalism.
      Where
      AAJA-Asia Office, 10th Floor

    • Investigative journalism can be intimidating but also opens up tremendous opportunities to advance accountability. In this session Eva Constantaras, Data Editor at Lighthouse Reports and Amel Ghani, Regional Editor and Research Assistant at the Global Investigative Journalism Network, will talk about how reporters can start working on investigative stories - breaking down methodologies they have used in their work and highlighting resources that can help reporters pursue complex investigations with community support.
      Workshop
      Where
      Seminar room 1004 (10th floor)

    • The job landscape in journalism is rapidly shifting: layoffs are accelerating, global newsrooms are downsizing, and local outlets remain unstable. As we are increasingly moving toward a gig economy many journalists are being pushed into freelancing without a clear path toward sustainability. How can passionate journalists who recognize the profession's vital societal role continue producing meaningful stories amid such uncertainty? This session features journalists who have successfully pivoted from traditional newsroom positions to roles in media business operations, independent freelancing, or reporting as complementary work alongside commitments, for example in civil society organizations. Speakers will share practical strategies for preparing and executing career transitions that preserve journalistic purpose while building financial stability.

      Careers
      Workshop
      Where
      Seminar room 1001 (10th floor)

    • Reliable AI tools that produce data code and spreadsheet formulas allow data reporters to spend more time on journalism and less time on tech troubleshooting and coding work. This workshop will discuss the pros and cons of this technology applied to data journalism and introduce participants to a selection of accessible tools that can help to the front end of investigative projects and boost data efficiency.
      Where
      Seminar room 1002 (10th floor)

    • In this session, early career journalists will talk to students about working in the media. Students will have an opportunity to ask professionals for early career advice and hear more about what they do as reporters. Each of the three panelists will bring experiences in a specialized area.
      Careers
      N3ConU
      Where
      Seminar room 1004 (10th floor)

    • On today's most popular platforms—Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube—audiences gravitate toward personalities rather than news brands. Viewers favor video content where they can see, hear, and emotionally engage with presenters and prefer authentic human connections over reliable information sources. Does the rise of "news creators" further undermine the global news ecosystem? Or does this trend enable important new voices to emerge, while offering traditional news institutions valuable lessons for rebuilding meaningful connections with their audiences?

      Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1001 (10th floor)

    • From the ongoing civil war in Myanmar to the political transformation in Bangladesh to the unprecedented arrest of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol following his December 2024 martial law declaration, this panel examines journalists' challenges when reporting on Asia's most pressing humanitarian and political crises. Drawing from their extensive field experience, panelists will offer first-hand insights into the ethical dilemmas, safety concerns, and operational complexities they face when working in these volatile environments, including securing access to restricted areas, avoiding extractive journalism, protecting sources and navigating government censorship.

      Plenary Panel Session
      Where
      Seminar room 1101 (11th floor)

    • N3Con 2025's Gold Sponsor ALIBABA warmly invites all participants to unwind, celebrate and enjoy a closing dinner by the Chao Phraya river.

      Buses will take conference delegates who confirmed their participation to the River Vibe restaurant, leaving Chulalongkorn University at 17:30


      Address:

      River Vibe Restaurant

      River View Residence

      768 Song Wat Rd, Talat Noi,

      Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100
      Where
      River Vibe Restaurant, River View Residence, 768 Song Wat Rd, Talat Noi, Samphanthawong, Bangkok 10100

    Speakers

     
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    Sponsors & Partners

    AAJA’s New.Now.Next Media Conference (N3Con) regularly attracts over 200 journalists from across Asia and the U.S., including leading Asian and international media companies such as Bloomberg, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Reuters and more.

    N3Con is sponsored by some of the world’s leading organizations that share our spirit of honoring the Asian heritage while training the future generation of journalists. Contact AAJA-Asia to partner with us.

    AAJA-Asia extends its warmest thanks to the generous sponsors who contribute to make N3COn 2025 possible:

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