Media Fest 2026 is Sri Lanka’s premier gathering of journalists, editors, publishers, media innovators, and communication professionals, exploring how journalism can stay relevant in an era of technological disruption and changing audience behaviour. Under the theme “Staying Relevant in a Changing World,” the festival will foster dialogue on trust, sustainability, innovation, and the future of media.
The Media Fest 2026 – Buy Tickets
Staying Relevant in a Changing World
Saturday, 11 July 2026
9:15 AM – 6:00 PM
Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra, Colombo
About The Festival
Journalism is at an inflection point.
Across the globe, traditional news media are losing ground—not because audiences no longer seek information, but because the information ecosystem has fundamentally changed. Digital platforms, social media, artificial intelligence, influencers, and personality-driven content are reshaping how news is discovered, consumed, trusted, and monetized.
In this rapidly evolving environment, journalism must adapt while remaining true to its core principles of accuracy, independence, verification, public interest, and trust.
The Media Fest 2026 brings together journalists, editors, publishers, media owners, academics, students, technology innovators, policymakers, and communication professionals to examine the future of journalism and the changing media landscape.
Under the theme “Staying Relevant in a Changing World,” the festival is a call to innovate, collaborate, and lead—while preserving the values that make journalism essential to society and democracy.
The programme is built around three key thematic discussions that reflect the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the media industry today.
Theme 01
Trust, Truth & the Battle for Credibility
The rise of misinformation, disinformation, AI-generated content, and algorithm-driven information flows has created unprecedented challenges for journalism.
This session explores verification, fact-checking, audience trust, ethical reporting, and the vital role journalism plays in safeguarding truth within an increasingly fragmented information ecosystem.
Theme 02
Holistic Media Strategy: Straddling Television, Print and Digital
As technology continues to transform media consumption, news organisations must rethink how they operate and generate revenue.
This discussion focuses on newsroom transformation, digital disruption, subscriptions, revenue diversification, sustainability, and the future business models required to ensure quality journalism survives and thrives.
Theme 03
The Audience Shift: From Readers to Viewers, From Media to Personalities
Audience behaviour is changing dramatically.
Video-first platforms, influencers, creators, and personal brands increasingly shape public conversations and compete with traditional media for attention and trust.
This session explores changing consumption habits, social media engagement, creator culture, and how journalism can remain relevant in an attention-driven world.
Special Fireside Conversation
The Future: The Sustainability of Journalism
An engaging conversation with leading media voices exploring the long-term sustainability of journalism, the future of independent news organisations, and the opportunities that lie ahead for the profession.
Festival Objectives
- Foster meaningful dialogue on the future of journalism.
- Explore strategies for rebuilding public trust in media.
- Examine changing audience behaviour and evolving consumption patterns.
- Discuss the opportunities and risks presented by disruptive technologies.
- Identify sustainable business models for the media industry.
- Encourage collaboration across journalists, publishers, technology leaders, academia, policymakers, and civil society.
Who Should Attend?
- Journalists
- Editors
- Media Owners & Publishers
- Media Executives
- Journalism Students
- Academics & Researchers
- Content Creators
- Technology Professionals
- Policymakers
- Civil Society Representatives
- Communication & Public Relations Professionals
Join Sri Lanka’s Conversation on the Future of Journalism
Media Fest 2026 is more than an industry conference—it is a platform for ideas, innovation, collaboration, and leadership.
As journalism navigates one of the most significant transformations in its history, the festival provides an opportunity for media professionals and emerging voices to share knowledge, build partnerships, and shape a resilient and sustainable future for journalism.
Join us on Saturday, 11 July 2026, at the Grand Marquee, Taj Samudra, Colombo, and be part of the conversation that will help define the future of media.
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