Asia Journalism Fellowship Forum Explores the Changing Face of Journalism in the Age of AI and Influencers

The Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) hosted the Asia Journalism Fellowship (AJF) 2026 Public Engagement Forum on 25 August 2026, bringing journalists, media practitioners, researchers and students together to discuss how AI, social media and independent news creators are changing the practice of journalism.

Titled The Changing Face of Journalism: Chasing Stories That Matter in the Age of AI and Influencers, the forum was hosted by WKWSCI in partnership with Temasek Foundation and the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of Singapore. 

Journalism Beyond the Newsroom 

In her keynote, award-winning journalist and AJF alumna Natashya Gutierrez shared her experience moving from established newsrooms such as Rappler and VICE News to independent news creation. 

She discussed how journalists and news organisations are adapting their work for different platforms and audiences, particularly younger news consumers. At the same time, she emphasised that the fundamentals of journalism remain important, from reporting on the ground and building sources to verifying information and upholding journalistic ethics.

What Journalism Needs Now 

The conversation continued in a panel featuring Natashya; Loh Chee Kong, Chief Editor of CNA Digital; Professor Edson Tandoc, Associate Chair for Research and Strategy at WKWSCI; and Swasti Chatterjee, Deputy Editor for News at BOOM Fact Check and an AJF Fellow. The panel was moderated by WKWSCI Lecturer Ian Tan. 

The panellists discussed what journalism needs to retain as news consumption changes, including accuracy, strong reporting and an understanding of audiences. They also explored how journalists can adapt stories for new platforms and experiment with different ways of reaching audiences without losing sight of the principles that underpin journalism. 

Continuing the Conversation

More than 60 aspiring journalists from local institutions joined this year’s AJF Fellows for breakout discussions on news influencers, the changing role of journalists, and journalism ethics in the age of AI. Participants also had the opportunity to tour WKWSCI’s media facilities. 

Across the afternoon, the discussions returned to a central challenge for journalism today: how to respond to changing technologies, platforms and audience habits while continuing to produce credible and meaningful stories that matter.

 

Watch the keynote sharing and panel discussion here: