ASEAN Journalists' Confederation Adopts Kuala Lumpur Declaration
Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - The 21st General Assembly of the ASEAN Journalists’ Confederation (CAJ) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday, produced the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, which will serve as a compass for adoption in the confederation’s future journey.
“This Kuala Lumpur Declaration serves as a compass, which will then be translated into an action plan,” said CAJ Secretary General Ahmed Kurnia to ANTARA in Kuala Lumpur on Monday.
In the Kuala Lumpur Declaration, the ASEAN Journalists’ Confederation, among other things, agreed to reaffirm the collective commitment to strengthening journalism in the ASEAN region, amidst global challenges and continuously changing technological developments.
The confederation also recalled the Bali Declaration adopted on 12–14 October 2022, and reaffirmed its principles in promoting a healthy, free, and responsible press, grounded in professionalism, ethics, and regional cooperation.
CAJ recognises that rapid technological advancements, including artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming the media landscape, changing the way information is produced, distributed, and consumed.
CAJ agrees that while AI presents opportunities to enhance journalistic efficiency, data analysis, and audience engagement, this technology also poses risks, including the spread of misinformation, erosion of public trust, and potential misuse in generating misleading or harmful content.
CAJ also asserts that the role of professional journalists remains irreplaceable in verifying information, providing context, and upholding truth, especially in the era of automated content and algorithm-driven information flows.
All CAJ members are encouraged to use AI responsibly, ethically, and transparently in journalism, ensuring that the technology serves as a complement, not a replacement, for human editorial judgement and accountability.
CAJ also agrees that protection must be strengthened to maintain information integrity, including clear standards on the use of AI-generated content, disclosure practices, and mechanisms to combat deepfakes and other forms of synthetic media.
Furthermore, CAJ reaffirms that press freedom is an essential foundation for democratic societies, sustainable development, and regional stability, and expresses concern over the increasing pressures faced by journalists, including legal restrictions, harassment, and threats to safety, both in physical and digital spaces.
CAJ urges its members to collectively advocate for an enabling environment that upholds freedom of expression, access to information, and protection of journalists, in line with international principles and ASEAN aspirations.
CAJ emphasises that a fair and balanced regulatory framework is crucial to ensure that global digital platforms and emerging technologies operate responsibly, respect local contexts, and support the sustainability of media organisations in ASEAN.
The confederation also agrees that closer collaboration among CAJ members is essential to address these challenges, including through knowledge sharing, capacity building, and joint initiatives on AI literacy, digital resilience, and ethical journalism practices.
The delegates also reaffirmed their commitment to continue serving as a bridge connecting ASEAN societies, fostering mutual understanding, peace, and cooperation through credible and responsible reporting.
To realise these goals, the confederation commits to developing an updated action plan focused on strengthening media resilience, protecting press freedom, and promoting ethical innovation in the digital era.
CAJ Secretary General Ahmed Kurnia stated that in the CAJ Board Meeting, Irfan Junaidi, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Division of the Indonesian Journalists’ Association (PWI), representing the Indonesian delegation, presented proposals for the CAJ’s future action plan.
Irfan proposed, among other things, that ASEAN journalists unite because they have bargaining power to face global platforms, which is closely related to the erosion of mainstream media advertorials.
This proposal was agreed upon and noted as one of the CAJ’s future action plans.
Another proposal put forward by Indonesia in the forum was the establishment of a joint fact-checking network to combat hoaxes, disinformation, and the like in the region.
In the 21st CAJ General Assembly, Indonesia officially handed over the CAJ leadership to Malaysia, marked by the handover of the CAJ flag or banner by the previous CAJ President Atal S. Depari to the new CAJ President Low Boon Tat, with Malaysia to lead CAJ for two years.
Subsequently, in the CAJ Board Meeting, it was also decided that the leadership after Malaysia would be taken by the Philippines for two years, and then handed over to Cambodia.