During 23 to 24 March 2026, the 11th World Conference on Media and Mass Communication (MEDCOM 2026) was successfully held in Bali, Indonesia, bringing together 196 participants from 41 countries and regions. The event served as a vibrant platform for scholarly exchange on emerging issues and future directions in media and communication studies.

The School of Communication, Xiamen University Malaysia, participated as an Academic Partner of the conference. Prof. Wang Changsong, Dean of the School of Communication, attended the conference and contributed as a member of the evaluation panel, engaging in scholarly assessment and dialogue with researchers from diverse backgrounds. Since 2019, the School of Communication has served as a co-host and academic partner of the Conference.

Under the theme “Rethinking Media Future: Sustainability, Resistance, and Communication Justice”, MEDCOM 2026 addressed critical challenges facing contemporary media ecosystems, including issues of equity, power, and ethical responsibility in global communication.

Among the distinguished keynote speakers was Daya Thussu, President of International Association for Media and Communication Research. In his keynote address titled “Intellectual Imperialism: Artificial or Real”, he offered a thought-provoking reflection on the evolving relationship between human intellect and artificial intelligence, questioning the boundaries between technological advancement and authentic intellectual engagement in the digital age.