Star Media Group (SMG) chief content officer Esther Ng (pic) notched up another first for the country after being elected to the International Press Institute (IPI) as its maiden Malaysian board member.

She joins four other leading editors and media doyens from South Korea, India, Germany and Finland to the IPI’s global executive board, which elected five new members at the IPI World Congress 2023 in Vienna, Austria, on May 25.

“The industry has always faced challenges head-on, from the advent of the Internet, which is both positive and negative, to social media and now, artificial intelligence (AI).

“With this latest tool, there is both excitement and trepidation ahead, and media heads need to figure out the ‘how’ in handling it.

“It’s an eye-opener to hear and learn from the others in the same boat, especially those from far away. We are all here to learn and share,” Ng said, adding that she is also honoured to be the first from Malaysia to be elected to the IPI global executive board.

Ng, who brings a wealth of experience in leading SMG’s print and digital platforms, said being a member of the prestigious body is an esteemed honour for her and the company.

She noted the beneficial partnership of media houses’ chiefs as they put their heads together to forge ahead in their business.

The IPI is an association of media professionals representing leading digital, print and broadcast news outlets in nearly 100 countries which share a common dedication to quality, independent journalism with a mission to defend media freedom and the free flow of news.

Supported by a professional secretariat in Vienna, IPI, among others, conducts direct advocacy with governments, raises awareness of violations of media freedom, leads programmes and campaigns to further change, as well as offers platforms for cooperation, networking and skills exchange.

Through its global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists, the IPI also offers opportunities for dialogue as well as promoting high-quality, independent journalism through the development of best practices at the global level.

Ng, who is the World Editors Forum (WEF) (Asian Chapter) chairman, was also the first Asian woman editor to sit on the board of the WEF, which is headquartered in Paris.

At the regional level, Ng is a member of the board of the Asia News Network (ANN), an alliance of 24 prime media houses in the region striving to bring the nations closer, through an active sharing of editorial content on happenings in the region.