Staff Correspondent

The International Media Summit 2026 was held in Jamalpur, Munger district of Bihar, India, on Tuesday to enhance regional dialogue, press freedom, and professional cooperation among media personnel across South Asia.

Organized by the All India Journalists Union (AIJU) at the Siddhi Vinayak Marriage Hall in Jamalpur, the summit brought together journalists and media professionals from Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Dr. Bhim Singh attended the event as the chief guest, while Munger MLA Pranav Kumar was present as a special guest. The summit was presided over by AIJU National President Ranjit Samrat and attended by SAARC Journalists Forum International President Raju Lama and Secretary General Abdur Rahman.

Delivering the chief guest address, Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Bhim Singh described journalism as an indispensable pillar of democracy that connects society with truth and factual information. He emphasized that cross-border cooperation among South Asian journalists enhances accountability and professional standards within the media sector. SAARC Journalists Forum International President Raju Lama highlighted the necessity of regular regional dialogue, calling for joint action on journalists' rights, physical safety, press freedom, and the adaptation of digital communication technologies.

The conference was attended by SAARC Journalists Forum Nepal Chapter Convener Rudra Subedi, Co-Convener Md. Arif Ansari, Bihar Chapter President Dr. Shashi Bhushan Kumar, and Madhesh Chapter Coordinator Md. Sadab Malik, alongside international media delegates Ramesh Chandra Kumal, Azmat Ali, Sushil Kumar Khadka, Abhilash Gupta, Pawan Prasad Sah, and Arun Kalwar. Participants reviewed contemporary media challenges, technological shifts, and safety protocols for journalists, expressing confidence that the inaugural Jamalpur summit creates a foundation for sustained collaboration across South Asian media networks.