The 2nd edition of the European Agora for Journalism in Brussels (#AJBrussels) was held from 20 to 22 November at the IHECS, on the topic : “AI, the media, Europe & me”.
Open to all and co-organized by the NGO Journalisme & Citoyenneté, and IHECS (Belgium), the event brought together about 1 800 information professionals, journalists, managers, academics, students and teachers from the 27 countries of the European Union, for a program of some 40 events and two evenings at Espace Magh.
Artificial intelligence was discussed from a number of angles: its usefulness, its potential, but also the dangers and threats for the profession and the media, whether in investigative reporting, photojournalism, teaching or climate issues…
Eight major European newsrooms gathered in the Agora – Radio France, Sweden Radio, Bayerischer Rundfunk, Deutsche Welle, EBU, Le Vif/Roularta, Arte – also shared their experience and expertise of AI.
This 2nd edition of the European Agora for Journalism in Brussels also looked at the press & media in times of conflict, paying tribute to journalists in Gaza, Lebanon and Ukraine, and reminding us of the importance of the “informational war” that still exists alongside the actual fighting.
In addition to the themes addressed, the Agora also enabled students from various journalism schools to explore the contours of their future profession. They had the opportunity to experiment, exchange ideas with their peers from other countries, confront new challenges and learn from the professionals present.
Finally, as part of Belgian Media Literacy Week, some 300 students from Brussels came to take part in a program dedicated to Media Literacy, in collaboration with the CSEM. A first and a success that the organizers will be keen to continue in future editions.
Jérôme Bouvier, President of Journalisme & Citoyenneté, concluded: “Beyond the hopes and fears it raises, AI forces us more than ever to quality journalism! If we do our job on the cheap, AI will do it better than us! If we are demanding and original, if we investigate and go out into the field to give a true account of the lives of our fellow citizens, no software can replace us!
