Zhang Yu, Yao Chonghao

JeniZhang13@163.com

OVER 30 media professionals from developing countries visited the Shenzhen News Group (SNG) yesterday, seeking to learn from China’s rapid advancements in digital storytelling and artificial intelligence as the global news industry pivots to video.

The visit was part of the Seminar on Short Video Creation and Communication for Developing Countries hosted by the Ministry of Commerce.

The participants, from countries including Cambodia, Egypt, Kenya, Panama, and South Africa, represent broadcasting and digital news institutions grappling with a universal industry shift toward digital content.

During the session, the group engaged with representatives from SNG’s English-language newspaper, Shenzhen Daily, and its multilingual platform, EyeShenzhen. Discussions focused on short-video content planning, AI-powered production tools, and strategies for multi-platform distribution.

Melissa Hollow, media manager for BRICS Africa Channel in South Africa, said her purpose was “to elevate knowledge” and to leverage this knowledge to develop her channel’s potential, forge partnerships, and share the acquired information with her audience in Africa.

“Having this discussion in terms of understanding the AI generated content and how it’s actually composed is very exciting,” Hollow told Shenzhen Daily during an interview.

A key topic was the industry-wide challenge of training traditional reporters to become video journalists. SNG is undergoing a reform requiring all reporters to acquire video skills.

Both international guests saw long-term value in this mandate. Carlos Vidal, a multimedia journalist for 45-year-old Panamanian newspaper La Prensa, argued that it forces journalists to become the “faces of their own brand,” which builds trust and accountability in an era of online misinformation.

Hollow noted the practical need for short videos, especially those that reach youth audiences in South Africa. “They are all on TikTok, and it’s just quick,” she said. “So we need to be able to be trained and skilled to be able to tell our stories in 1 to 3 minutes.”