RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) is hosting the 32nd Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) Intellectual Property and Legal Committee (IPLC) Conference and Meeting at its headquarters in Jakarta on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. The event brings together broadcasters, legal experts, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss the legal implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in the digital media industry.

Opening the conference, RRI Director of Program and Production, Mistam, said this year's theme, "AI, Copyright and Royalties in the Digital Content Economy," reflects the growing need for stronger legal protection as AI continues to reshape content creation and broadcasting. While AI offers new opportunities for innovation, it also presents complex legal and ethical challenges.

He said key issues include the use of copyrighted materials to train AI systems, authorship of AI-generated content, editorial accountability, protection of broadcasting rights, the fight against digital piracy, and the development of fair and sustainable royalty systems. He stressed that closer regional cooperation and harmonized legal frameworks are essential to address these challenges.

ABU Director of News, Indra Singh, described the conference as one of the union's longest-running forums and an important platform for broadcasters and legal professionals to exchange ideas on the future of media regulation in the AI era. He noted that while AI is transforming newsrooms and content production, it also raises concerns over copyright protection and fair compensation for media organizations whose content is increasingly used to train generative AI models.

Moreover, Singh affirmed that legal experts play a vital role in helping broadcasters protect journalistic integrity, intellectual property, and creators' rights amid rapid technological change. He added that the ABU Legal Committee continues to strengthen legal frameworks that support the long-term sustainability of public broadcasting.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of the ABU Intellectual Property and Legal Committee, Haruyuki Ichinohashi, said the rapid advancement of digital technology has transformed the way content is produced and distributed, while the emergence of artificial intelligence has introduced new legal and ethical challenges, particularly in copyright and content creation. He stressed that in an era shaped by deepfakes, misinformation, and the attention economy, public broadcasters have an even greater responsibility to provide accurate, fair, and trustworthy information.

He also affirmed that protecting intellectual property and respecting people's rights are fundamental to maintaining public trust in broadcasting. He praised RRI for selecting a timely conference theme and expressed confidence that the two-day meeting would enable participants to exchange expertise, strengthen regional cooperation, and advance legal and ethical standards for the future of broadcasting across the Asia-Pacific region.