Backdrop
Journalism has long been seen as a cornerstone of democratic life — but today, its role is being tested, as social media is becoming a main source of information and different actors vie to influence the public sphere and thereby also political debates and elections. New EU initiatives such as the European Media Freedom Act, the the Defence of Democracy Package, and the forthcoming European Democracy Shield 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 — increasingly enabled by AI.
This event will bring together voices from European newsrooms, academia, and policy to ask:
Does journalism have public value in the digital age or does it need to adapt?
What are the tools for countering disinformation?
Journalism is a trusted force for democracy, but does it get enough support?
What are the knowledge gaps we need to fill — what research, innovation and education do we need to be ready for the media challenges of the future?
Register here
Tentative Programme
12:30
Welcome, registration and networking lunch
13:30
Keynote
Margareth Hagen, Rector, University of Bergen (UiB)
13:40
Kenote speech (TBC)
13:55
Panel 1: Truth is up for election
André Støylen, Boardleader, Amedia and CEO, Amediastiftelsen
Jason Gibbins, Senior News Editor, BBC Local News Partnerships
Alessia Cerantola, Editorial Director, Investigate Europe
TBC
Moderated by: Per Christian Magnus, Director, Centre for Investigative Journalism (SUJO)
14:55
Short Break
15:10
Panel 2: Building weapons to fight disinformation
Laura Ellis, Head of Technology foresight, BBC
Olav Østrem, News Editor, Faktisk.no
Roberto Rabbachin, Deputy Head of Unit, Media Convergence and Social Media, DG CNECT, European Commission
Moderated by: Helge O. Svela, CEO, Media Cluster Norway
16:10
Panel 3 The future of the journalistic profession
Tales Thomaz, Senior Researcher, University of Salzburg, Euromedia Ownership Monitor
Vera Peneda, Director Program & Impact, European Journalism Centre Maastricht
Olivier Standaert, Researcher, Université Catholique de Louvain
Tijana Blagojev, Research Associate, Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies, EUI
Moderated by: Kristin Nordby, Journalist in Brussels for the Norwegian academic newspaper Khrono
17.10
Closing Keynote
Networking reception
Knowing place through film and audiovisual media
The conference will be held at UiT The Arctic University of Norway - Alta.