World · East Asia & Pacific · 11 hrs ago
International media leaders call for more firsthand reporting on China
Media leaders from several countries met in Beijing for the seventh World Media Summit.
They discussed China’s changes in infrastructure, technology and daily life, and some visited cultural sites and technology centers.
Several attendees said firsthand reporting can address gaps between coverage and reality.
They called for more visits and conversations with ordinary people to give audiences a fuller view of China.
The discussions also covered cooperation between media organizations and the opportunities and challenges artificial intelligence brings to news.
Attendees said they would share what they saw and learned with audiences at home.
International media leaders at the seventh World Media Summit called for more firsthand reporting to help audiences understand China.
They said direct visits and conversations with ordinary people could help address gaps between media coverage and conditions in China.
Participants pointed to China’s infrastructure, technology, innovation and cultural heritage as subjects for broader coverage.
Some outlets described reporting projects in China that they said had helped audiences see the country from more varied perspectives.
The summit also focused on cooperation, artificial intelligence and maintaining professional standards in journalism.
- Who
- International media leaders and participants at the seventh World Media Summit.
- What
- They called for more firsthand reporting and varied coverage to help audiences develop a fuller understanding of China.
- When
- The summit was held in November 2026; the article was published on November 8.
- Where
- Beijing, China.
- Why
- Participants said limited or one-sided reporting can leave gaps between coverage and reality, and that firsthand reporting can help address them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Maldives Public Service Media chair Aminath Namza spoke at the summit’s Energy, Computing Power and Smart Media Forum about China’s artificial intelligence development.
Xinhua reported on international media participants’ views at the seventh World Media Summit in Beijing.
- Summit
- Seventh World Media Summit
- Location
- Beijing, China
- Publication date
- November 8, 2026
- Forum date
- November 5
- Ecuador reporting project
- The Telegraph sent a reporter to China for five months and produced special coverage.
What people are saying
To bridge the gap in understanding, European media need to come to China more often to report and talk with ordinary people.
One trip to China is worth more than reading hundreds of news items.
Through field reporting, firsthand observation and diverse information gathering, international audiences can build a more comprehensive and balanced understanding of China’s image.
More and more Ecuadorians are beginning to understand China from multiple angles, including food, culture and technology, which helps break past stereotypes.