📈 SLIMFA MediaFest 2026: Call for Trust-First Journalism as AI Reshapes News

Top media leaders and government officials from Sri Lanka and India gathered at MediaFest 2026 in Colombo to address technological disruption, AI integration, and the critical need to preserve public trust amid rising misinformation. • Core Themes & Collaboration: Themed "Staying Relevant in a Changing World," the event urged newsrooms to adapt to digital shifts without sacrificing editorial discipline. Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha called for stronger bilateral media collaboration, promising continued support for journalist exchanges, newsroom visits, and institutional partnerships to counter false narratives. • Key Leadership Insights: Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that AI should be leveraged to strengthen investigation and verification rather than replace editorial judgment, emphasizing that governments must safeguard independent journalism. ANI Chief Editor Smita Prakash warned that AI makes deception faster and cheaper, asserting that verification is now as vital as reporting and urging professionals to "trust, but verify." India Today Managing Editor Marya Shakil advised newsrooms to adopt the speed of digital creators while strictly retaining newsroom discipline. • Institutional Impact: Organized by the Sri Lanka–India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA), President Nisthar Cassim highlighted the body's rapid evolution since 2024 into a premier platform fostering professional dialogue, masterclasses, and knowledge-sharing between the two nations' media ecosystems.