RepublicAsia x iACADEMY: What’s next for media?

WITH the progress of technology, digital media has surely grown dramatically. This was the major theme of the iACADEMY Nexus Auditorium event ‘NEXT UP: Embracing and Preparing for the Ever-Evolving Landscape of Digital Media’ on October 27, 2023. 

It is difficult to imagine how technology has affected numerous environments, especially digital media. People are now consuming little to no traditional media and have transitioned to a more digital one.

However, media professionals believe that these developments should not be seen negatively. In reality, these changes should be welcomed in order to create more chances in the future and to thrive regardless of what happens.

What is the future of media?

GMA’s Howie Severino has seen many changes in his 35 years, not only in the media, but in life in general. He considers himself to be an analog native who has now become a digital migrant.

“I feel that I’m occupying a sweet spot. I’ve seen all the formats from film, all the way to streaming and whatever we’re currenty using today, and I’m still in my prime,” he remarked. 

Everyone imagined social media would democratize our society 20 years ago, yet the reverse happened. Fake news has thrived alongside the shift in media consumption. “From an era of ‘techno euphoria’, we’re now in ‘techno reality’ where technology can be used to spread misinformation,”  he went on to say.

He also addressed the contentious use of GMA’s AI newscaster during the NCAA. Severino believes that losing some traditional employment is normal these days because it opens up new ones.

Photo Courtesy: Ryan Baldemor

“Humans still rule. What people overlook was while we were rolling Marco and Maya, we were also rolling out 12 human courtside reporters na bagong hire,” he explained.

Despite his support for adapting, Severino feels that individuals now have control over their own communications. “The world is big. The screens are small. Don’t let the screens be the totality of the universe,”  he urged.

During the panel discussion, Susan Enriquez also from GMA, emphasized that the largest difficulty that the media is experiencing these days is information overload. While technology innovation has its benefits, it also has its drawbacks.

Photo Courtesy: Ryan Baldemor

“Siguro ang pinakamalaking challenge, parang ang dali na eh, mayroon tayong overload of information ngayon. Dahil overloaded ka sa information na nauupload, wala ng time ang iba to check, verify if ‘yung nakita nila sa social media is totoo,” she explained.

TV5’s Gretchen Ho also posed an intriguing question: “If misinformation is here and news outlets don’t adapt to the latest platforms, then how do we defend the truth?” 

Photo Courtesy: Ryan Baldemor

These are only a few of the major points raised at the event. It turned into a good debate as several media practitioners shared their ideas and experience.

Indeed, the growth of digital media offers numerous advantages, but it also has many disadvantages. The only thing individuals can do is plan ahead of time how they will consume this information.