Journalistic Weapons

Brussels-event

Journalistic Weapons

Truth is up for election, and journalism is on the frontlines鈥攃an it still defend democracy in the age of AI and disinformation? The University of Bergen and Media Cluster Norway are pleased to welcome you to our event in Brussels.

Photo:

Charlotte Eide, 幸运飞艇计划

Main content

Backdrop

Journalism has long been seen as a cornerstone of democratic life 鈥� but today, its role is being tested, as social media is becoming a main source of information and different actors vie听to influence the public sphere and thereby also political debates and elections.听New EU initiatives such as the t, the , and the forthcoming aim to strengthen democratic resilience and media freedom and integrity. But at the same time, the journalism sector faces deep challenges: economic fragility, algorithmic influence, and the spread of disinformation 鈥� increasingly enabled by AI.听听

This event will bring together voices from European newsrooms, academia, and policy to ask:听听

Does journalism have public value in the digital age or does it need to adapt?听听
What are the tools for countering disinformation?听听
Journalism is a trusted force for democracy, but does it get enough support? 听
What are the knowledge gaps we need to fill 鈥� what research, innovation and education do we need to be ready for the media challenges of the future?听

听

Tentative Programme

12:30	*Welcome, registration and networking lunch*
13:30	Keynote Reidun Kjelling Nyb酶,听Secretary General, Association of Norwegian Editors 听
13:40	Kenote speech (TBC)
13:55	Panel 1: Truth is up for election Jason Gibbins, Senior News Editor,听BBC Local News Partnerships Alessia Cerantola, Editorial Director, Investigate听Europe Bruno Ingemann, Head of Gravercentret 鈥� The Danish Centre for Investigative Journalism Andr茅 St酶ylen, Boardleader, Amedia and CEO, Amediastiftelsen Moderated by: Per Christian Magnus, Director, Centre for Investigative Journalism (SUJO), University of Bergen
14:55	Short Break
15:10	Panel 2: Building weapons to fight disinformation Laura Ellis, Head of Technology foresight, BBC听 Olav 脴strem, News Editor, Faktisk.no听 Alberto Rabbachin, Deputy Head of Unit, Media Convergence and Social Media,听DG CNECT, European Commission听 Moderated by: Helge O. Svela, CEO, Media Cluster Norway 听
16:10	Panel 3 The future of the journalistic profession Francisco de la Torre Francia,听Deputy Head of Unit,听Democracy, Equality and Culture, DG RTD, European Commission Tales Thomaz, Senior Researcher, University of Salzburg, Euromedia Ownership Monitor Vera Peneda, Director Program & Impact, European Journalism Centre Olivier Standaert,听Researcher, Universit茅 Catholique de Louvain Tijana Blagojev, Research Associate, Centre听for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, European University Institute Moderated by: Kristin Nordby, Journalist听in Brussels for the Norwegian academic newspaper Khrono
17.10	Closing Keynote
听	Networking reception

Event

28.04.2025 - 12.30鈥�19.00

Norway House, Brussels

Charlotte Eide

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About the Department of Information Science and Media Studies

The department explores how digitalisation transforms media, technology, and society by bridging media studies and information science. Media research examines the role of media in democracy, culture, and communication, drawing on both historical and social perspectives. Information science focuses on digital technologies, their development, and their societal impact, integrating informatics with social science theories. Research at the department is highly interdisciplinary, combining insights from the humanities, social sciences, and technology to address key challenges such as semantic technologies, cultural dissemination, and media regulation in the digital age.

About Media Cluster Norway听

Media Cluster Norway is a leading innovation cluster, bringing together news media, academia and cutting-edge media technology, thus encompassing the entire media value chain in one integrated ecosystem. This makes the cluster uniquely positioned to foster collaboration on groundbreaking projects such as Project Reynir, a leading initiative to combat the threat of disinformation powered by generative AI, and to ensure content authenticity. Globally recognized as a centre of expertise, Media Cluster Norway sets the standard for innovation and collaboration in the media industry.

About 幸运飞艇计划听

幸运飞艇计划 is a modern, international research university. We are a classical knowledge- and culture-bearing institution founded on European democratic values, with academic freedom as a guiding principle. Long-term and fundamental research of high international quality and research-based education form the foundation of all our activities.听幸运飞艇计划 has participated in the EU Framework Programmes for R&I since their inception and is among the most successful universities in Norway in securing funding across the Programmes鈥� funding portfolio.听

Nordis 2

The Nordic Observatory for Digital Media and Information Disorder (NORDIS) is a consortium of researchers and fact-checkers. We are one of the national focal points of The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO). NORDIS is funded by the European Commission.

SUJO - Center for investigative journalism

SUJO's mission is to strengthen the investigative journalism in Norwegian editorial offices, particularly in local and regional media. The Centre facilitates education in the craft, culture, and methodology of the journalism in question.

23.04.2025