In this session, media practitioners and experts from Brazil and South Africa assessed the evolving landscape for journalism amid technological disruption. They reflected on previous successes and shortcomings, drawing some essential lessons for building a fairer relationship between media and tech platforms. Michael Markovitz emphasized that the collapse of the ad-based model and structural asymmetries with big techs demand bold regulatory frameworks and increased public funding. Natalia Viana called for international collaboration among media actors in the Global South and emphasizedthe importance of ensuring sustainability while maintaining editorial independence.

In this panel, speakers presented a range of – sometimes contrasting – strategies to address today’s challenges to journalism. They discussed the importance of regulation, coalition-building, and the creation of new tools to strengthen journalism, including rethinking how technology interacts with the media sector. Francisco Brito Cruz noted that digital platform regulation must avoid short-term fixes and instead address the structural roots of disinformation. Courtney Radsch stressed the risks of monopolies in information infrastructure, warning against policies that reinforce dependence on dominant platforms.

This session examined efforts to support the sustainability of journalism and regulate AItools in Brazil, South Africa, and Indonesia. Panelists emphasized the shift in society’s relationship with journalism, calling for a renewed understanding of the industry grounded in legal, political, and technological frameworks. Participants called for open-source solutions and collective strategies to empower media actors

Panelists examined lessons from existing regulatory frameworks and their effects on the media industry. They emphasized the importance of international cooperation and joint efforts in designing new solutions that foster a fairer and more equitable digital ecosystem. There was consensus that copyright-based compensation alone is insufficient and potentially harmful to pluralism. Carla Egydio highlighted the need for models that include smaller outlets and prioritize equity and transparency in remuneration.

This panel shed light on the region’s unique socio-economic context, the difficulty of countering disinformation, and the fragile state of the Latin American media ecosystem.Luis Fernando García denounced surveillance capitalism as central to platform businessmodels, while Gustavo Gómez called attention to the lack of civil society participation in regulatory debates. The panel advocated for regional collaboration and policies grounded in human rights and democratic values.

In this conversation, João Brant outlined current efforts within the Brazilian governmentto regulate digital platforms. He emphasized the importance of building replicable public policy models that support small and medium outlets. Marina Pita, representing civil society perspectives, emphasized the need for open mechanisms that reflect Brazil’s media diversity and prevent the concentration of power.

Panelists presented diverse perspectives on the intersection between technology and journalism, from legal analysis to practical models for sustainability. They challenged dominant narratives and stressed the need to reclaim legal tools that can protect mediaindependence. Allan Rocha criticized the reliance on copyright mechanisms and called for democratic and transparent alternatives to ensure fair remuneration.

This session highlighted the pressing need for more data and research on media consumption, particularly among younger audiences. Panelists pointed out that most newsrooms in Latin America lack both the culture and the resources to conduct user research, which hinders their ability to innovate and effectively respond to audience needs. Paula Miraglia emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts in identifying information deserts and developing tools that enable media outlets to understand and expand their reach.