More related content on the BRIDGE
- Media Panel 8 December 1:00 - 1:30PM
Fighting for Depth in a Shallow Media World
In a landscape driven by clicks, speed, and algorithmic reward, depth is becoming a lost art. “Churnalism”, the recycling of online content, has replaced original reporting, leaving audiences skeptical and disengaged. With just 32% of Americans expressing trust in the media (Gallup), the challenge is clear: how can journalism reclaim substance in a digital age built for brevity? This session explores how newsrooms, platforms, and creators can harness technology to restore depth, context, and credibility in an attention-fractured world.
Academy Stage - Picture Panel 9 December 2:45 - 3:15PM
Opportunities and Challenges in the Global Picture Business
As audiences fragment and production models evolve across borders, the global film and television industry stands at a crossroads of opportunity and complexity. This session gathers leaders from studios, streamers, and emerging markets to explore the future of the picture business, from financing and co-productions to talent mobility and new creative hubs, and what the next decade will demand from creators, producers, and investors worldwide.
Forum StageSpeakers
- Media Panel 8 December 4:20 - 4:40PM
The Future of Media's 'Free' Spaces
Digital social media has become primary arenas for information exchange and cultural dialogue, yet the systems that govern visibility and participation remain largely opaque. As business models, ownership structures, and moderation philosophies evolve, societies are grappling with how to ensure these spaces remain trustworthy, inclusive, and resilient. A 2023 Reuters Institute study found that nearly one-third of global users now access multiple news sources through social platforms each week, underscoring their growing influence on public understanding. This conversation explores how different approaches like community governance can strengthen digital environments that balance openness with responsibility, support constructive engagement, and reflect the diversity of the global audiences they serve.
Forum StageSpeakers
- Media Panel 10 December 11:40AM - 12:10PM
Media Moneyball
The rules for media investment are shifting. New technologies, creator platforms, and community-led models are changing where capital flows and why. In this conversation, three early-stage investors share what they look for when backing founders in media, entertainment, and creator tech. They unpack their current investment theses, the trends they’re watching for 2026, and how creative vision, audience ownership, and smart business models can build companies that endure.
Central StageSpeakers
- Media Panel 8 December 2:25 - 2:55PM
How the Gulf and Africa Are Rewriting the Media Map
Africa and the Gulf are fast becoming two of the world’s most influential media hubs, building newsrooms, creator ecosystems, and digital platforms that reach hundreds of millions and increasingly shape global narratives. This session explores how broadcasters and digital-first operators across both regions scale coverage, expand cross-border bureaus, build culturally resonant formats, and grow loyal audiences in markets often misunderstood by global capital. We examine where international partners fit, how geopolitical context shapes storytelling, and how these rising hubs are redefining the media operating system of the Global South.
Impact StageSpeakers
- Meetup Meetup 10 December 1:30 - 2:30PM
Content Business Meetup
A space for media and content entrepreneurs to meet investors, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities within today’s evolving content economy. This session fosters open networking and meaningful conversation, creating room for early connections and future collaborations.
Impact Stage
