Tough talks on AI, ethics, misinformation must be had – McCoy on Regional Media Summit in Guyana

With just a few months to go before Guyana hosts a major regional media conference, Minister within the Office of the Prime Minister, Kwame McCoy, says the gathering must confront difficult and urgent questions surrounding regulation, ethics and the evolving role of journalists.
The Caribbean Broadcasting Union (CBU) is inviting broadcasters, innovators, journalists, content creators and media leaders from across the region to Guyana for its 57th Annual General Assembly and 37th Media Awards, scheduled for August 17-19, 2026.
Held under the theme, “Caribbean Media and Artificial Intelligence,” the assembly will bring together regional stakeholders to examine the future of Caribbean media amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
The event is set to provide a platform to discuss the next chapter of the Caribbean media landscape while exploring the opportunities and challenges presented by AI.

During the launch of the event on Tuesday, McCoy remarked that many of the issues confronting the regional media landscape will be addressed at the gathering.
McCoy also highlighted Guyana’s ongoing efforts to strengthen food and energy security while expanding regional and international connectivity through major investments in infrastructure and transportation.
He noted that the country continues to demonstrate global leadership in climate action, sustainable development and biodiversity preservation, proving that economic advancement and environmental stewardship can coexist.
According to the minister, these initiatives form part of a broader national vision aimed at building a modern, inclusive and innovative Guyana that is prepared to confidently engage with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. He said it is from this position of confidence that Guyana welcomes the Caribbean Broadcasting Union.
“We do not claim to have all the answers. Rather, we are confident that at this important juncture in our shared history, many of the answers to the issues confronting our region will emerge through partnership, dialogue and collective action. The conversations that will unfold in August will no doubt be rich, sometimes challenging and always necessary,” McCoy said.
According to him, the regional media conference must examine difficult questions relating to regulation, ethics, media sustainability, misinformation, technological adaptation and the evolving role of journalists and broadcasters.
“[This media conference] will require us to examine difficult questions about regulation, ethics, media sustainability, misinformation, technological adaptation and the evolving role of journalists and broadcasters in our society. But I am confident that Caribbean media practitioners have never shied away from the difficult conversations that must be had among us in the Caribbean. Indeed, the history of Caribbean media is one of resilience, creativity and adaptation,” he stated.
McCoy further noted that media institutions have weathered political changes, technological revolutions, economic upheavals and natural disasters, consistently evolving into stronger and more responsive institutions serving the needs of the public.
He said artificial intelligence would similarly challenge the industry while creating opportunities for growth and innovation.
“[this media conference] will also create opportunities to expand access to information, strengthen public engagement, improve efficiency and amplify Caribbean voices in ways previously unimaginable. The responsibility before us, therefore, is not to fear change. It is to shape it, to ensure that technological advancement serves humanity, to ensure that innovation strengthens democracy, and to ensure that the Caribbean is an active and influential participant in shaping how emerging technologies are developed, governed and applied,” he said.