ASEAN Work Plan for Information and Media2026–2035 The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. TheMember States are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, the Lao People’s DemocraticRepublic, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Viet Nam.The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. For inquiries, contact:The ASEAN SecretariatCommunity Relations Division (CRD)70A Jalan SisingamangarajaJakarta 12110, IndonesiaPhone : (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991Fax : (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504E-mail : public@asean.org Catalogue-in-Publication Data ASEAN Work Plan for Information and Media 2026–2035302.231. ASEAN – Socio-Cultural – Key Strategies2. Artificial Intelligence – Social Media – Digital Ecosystems The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted, provided proper acknowledgementis given and a copy containing the reprinted material is sent to Community Relations Division(CRD) of the ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta. General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.orgCopyright Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2026. All rights reserved. This publication was produced by the ASEAN Secretariat with the support from the Governmentof Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.INTRODUCTION2.VISION3.GOALS4.OBJECTIVES5.PILLARS OF COOPERATION6.KEY STRATEGIES7.PROPOSED ACTIONS8.APPROACH AND IMPLEMENTATION9.FUNDING ARRANGEMENTS10.MONITORING AND EVALUATION11.AMENDMENTS113172125293547677175 ABBREVIATION GLOSSARY ACFADGMINADGSOMAIAMSAMRIASEANASEAN-COCIICTIoTSOMCASOMRIASEAN Cultural FundASEAN Digital Ministers’ MeetingASEAN Digital Senior Officials’ MeetingArtificial IntelligenceASEAN Member StatesASEAN Ministers Responsible for InformationAssociation of Southeast Asian NationsASEAN Committee on Culture and InformationInformation and Communication TechnologyInternet of ThingsSenior Officials Meeting for Culture and ArtsSenior Officials Meeting Responsible for Information INTRODUCTION 1.1Rationale and Expected Outcomes of the New Work Plan The inception of theASEAN Strategic Plan for Information and Media 2016–2025follows thegrowing recognition among ASEAN Member States of the pivotal role of information and mediain shaping public discourse, promoting transparency, and fostering regional integration. Theplan leveraged pertinent initiatives and declarations within the region, aligning with a 10-yearframework that addresses challenges and opportunities in the information and media sector. TheStrategic Plan provided a strong foundation for ASEAN’s cooperation in information and media,advancing regional cohesion through 4 key strategies and 22 priority areas of action. It guidedprogramme implementation to enhance media capabilities, promote inclusivity, and support thefostering of a shared ASEAN Identity. Centredon four key strategies ranging from institutional cooperation and technologicalconnectivity to public awareness and multi-stakeholder content development, theStrategic Planfor Information and Media 2016–2025sought to align national efforts with a shared ASEAN vision.Through 22 priority areas of action, it promotes policy harmonisation, media literacy, journalisticsafety, and digital innovation, all while reinforcing media freedom and ethical standards. Collectively,these strategies aim to cultivate a resilient and unified media ecosystem that empowers ASEANcitizens and positions the region as a credible, connected, and forward-looking information hub. However,the rapidly evolving media landscape,driven by exponential technologicaladvancements, has resulted in a divide between the original mandate and current needs.Following the implementation of theStrategic Plan for Information and Media 2016–2025, anew work plan seeks to address the gap and overcome newfound challenges in the informationand media space through a comprehensive review of the strategic plan and existing literature,stakeholder consultations, and analysis. Over the past decade, ASEAN has experienced a dramatic transformation in its informationenvironment. Faster networks, affordable smartphones, and algorithm-driven platforms havereshaped the way people connect, communicate, and consume content. Public discourse nowtakes place at digital speed, and every citizen can now act as a publisher. Four major shifts are redefining media in ASEAN: the rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI), thetransformation of journalism, the convergence of social media and commerce across ASEAN andbeyond, and the proliferation of information maladies: 1.1.1 AI and Machine Learning in Media AI and Machine Learning have revolutionised media by automating content creation fromgenerating outlines to delivering audience-specific insights. A Deloitte Media Trends (2024)study found that consumers increasingly expect content personalisation enabled by AI,with 42% indicating a willingness to watch AI-generated films.1Wh