Brussels-event

Journalistic Weapons

Truth is up for election, and journalism is on the frontlines—can it still defend democracy in the age of AI and disinformation?

Photo:

Charlotte Eide, UiB

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Event

28.04.2025 - 12.30–19.00

Norway House, Brussels

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Backdrop

Against the backdrop of the European Media Freedom Act, the Defence of Democracy Package, and the upcoming European Democracy Shield, this event will explore what must be done to ensure that journalism remains a force for truth and accountability. Journalism is a pillar of democracy, yet today it faces unprecedented challenges. The digital revolution has disrupted the traditional business model for news media, AI is transforming the information landscape, and disinformation is being weaponized to undermine trust and democratic institutions.

How can journalism adapt, defend its role, and even become a weapon against these threats? These are some of the key questions we will discuss on this day with our partners Media Cluster Norway and the Centre for Investigative Journalism Norway, alongside experts from academia, industry, and policy across europe.

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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 TBC 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 TBC Moderated by: Leif Ove Larsen, Professor, Department of Information Science and Media Studies, University of Bergen.
17.10	Closing Keynote
	Networking reception

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

Media Cluster Norway is a membership organization consisting of members such as newsrooms, media technology companies and academic institutions. Their mission is to be the leading arena in Norway for the development of media technology and the journalism of the future.Media Cluster Norway achieves this by being our members' partner in developing expertise, recruiting employees, and building networks.

About UiB

UiB 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. UiB 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’ funding portfolio.

26.03.2025