- CNN Global CEO: “Real-time information has become a flexible commodity like never before.”
- Dow Jones CEO:“Regardless of the media platform, professional standards remain the foundation of credible journalism.”
- TIME CEO: “AI is now a core part of digital media strategies.”
- Foreign Policy CEO: “Audiences prefer videos, infographics, and interactive data over traditional text.”
Global media leaders explored the future of the industry in the era of artificial intelligence, discussing the impact of digital transformation and political shifts on news credibility and audience trust.
The discussion took place during a panel titled “A Conversation with Global Media Leaders”, as part of the World Government Summit 2025 in Dubai, under the theme “Shaping Future Governments.”
- The panel featured:Mark Thompson, Chairman & CEO of CNN Global
- Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones
- Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME
- Andrew Sollinger, CEO of Foreign Policy
The session was moderated by Steven Bertoni, Assistant Managing Editor at Forbes.
AI is Reshaping Journalism
Speakers emphasized the role of technology in advancing journalism and the challenges of covering global events in a rapidly changing political and economic landscape.
According to Sir Mark Thompson, Chairman & CEO of CNN Global, artificial intelligence is not only changing how news is produced but also redefining risk in journalism.
“Real-time information has become a flexible commodity like never before.
AI helps us understand audience engagement patterns and deliver personalized content more accurately than ever.”
Balancing Objectivity and Bias
Almar Latour, CEO of Dow Jones, highlighted the importance of ethical journalism in an era of increasing media polarization.
“The more the industry changes, the greater the need to return to the fundamentals of good journalism. Regardless of the medium, professional standards remain the true starting point.”
He stressed the importance of fairness and impartiality, noting that many significant news stories go underreported due to media organizations’ political biases.
“Building trust with audiences requires balanced and transparent storytelling, free from ideological influence.”
From Traditional Journalism to Innovation
Jessica Sibley, CEO of TIME, discussed the shift from legacy media to innovation-driven journalism.
“AI is now a core part of digital media strategies, allowing news organizations to reach a broader, younger audience.”
She added, “At TIME, we don’t just report the news—we engage audiences across all digital platforms, helping us connect with new generations of readers.”
Visual Content: The Future of Digital Media
Andrew Sollinger, CEO of Foreign Policy, highlighted the growing importance of visual storytelling in modern journalism.
“Readers now prefer videos, infographics, and interactive data over traditional text-based content.”
He emphasized the need for news platforms to embrace technology and multimedia formats, stating that Foreign Policy has seen record-breaking subscription growth due to its focus on high-quality visual content.
“While fairness, objectivity, and credibility remain journalism’s cornerstones, the way we deliver news is evolving rapidly.
Media organizations must adapt to new technologies while upholding ethical standards.”
The Future of Journalism: A Balance of Principles and Technology
The discussion concluded with a shared view among global media leaders:
- Journalism must adapt to future technologies without compromising core ethics.
- Innovation is key to engaging modern audiences.
- The essence of great journalism lies in its ability to tell compelling stories while maintaining credibility.
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