Hosted from 21 to 24 September at the former holiday residence of Konrad Adenauer, now an international meeting venue of the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, the conference explored some of the key challenges facing journalism today, from changing audience habits and business sustainability to political pressure, technological transformation and the motivation of younger generations entering the profession.
“The risks facing journalism have not driven young people away from the profession - they have driven them towards it,” said Robert Bierman, member of the Assembly of BIRN, opening the conference.
The American media expert also argued that journalism needs more quality, more sourcing, and more truth, but that journalists should also think about how stories are delivered and presented to audiences. In a time when people are overwhelmed by information, journalism must remain both reliable and engaging.
The conference brought together participants from Albania, Bulgaria, Germany, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States. Across two days, discussions moved between generations, regions and professional experiences, but often returned to the same concern: journalism is under pressure, yet it is still attracting people who believe it matters.
Particular attention was given to the motivation of younger journalists entering the profession and the skills needed to navigate an increasingly complex media landscape. Discussions explored the relationship between journalism and activism, as well as the pressures journalists face in societies marked by political polarization, disinformation, economic uncertainty, changing audience habits, rapid technological developments, and declining trust in media.
The conference also focused on possible responses to these challenges. Participants discussed different approaches to audience engagement, successful local and regional media models, the role of subscriptions and memberships, and ways of building stronger relationships with readers and viewers.
By the end of the conference, the answer to its central question seemed clearer. There is still much to be upbeat about. Not because journalism's problems have disappeared, but because there are still journalists willing to enter the profession, experienced colleagues willing to share their knowledge, and media professionals committed to finding new ways to serve their audiences. The exchange of ideas and experiences across generations and countries perhaps remained one of its most valuable outcomes.