At its core, the conference approached the current difficulties of journalism from two directions. It examined the external pressures created by political influence, economic uncertainty, propaganda, technological platforms, declining public trust and changing audience behavior. At the same time, it deliberately moved beyond portraying journalists only as targets or victims of these forces. Discussions also addressed mistakes made within the profession, including sensationalism, weakened editorial standards, blurred boundaries between journalism and activism, excessive dependence on social media metrics and the growing tendency to prioritise visibility and speed over judgement. Learning from these shortcomings was presented as an essential part of rebuilding credibility and strengthening journalism.
Power, Narratives and the Collapse of Shared Reality
The keynote speech, “Stop the Blur – Journalism Has to Remain Journalism,” was delivered by Fatjona Mejdini, Director of the South Eastern Europe Observatory at the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime.
A central theme of the keynote was the changing identity of journalism in an environment increasingly shaped by social media. The distinction between journalists, influencers and content creators is becoming less clear, particularly for younger audiences.
The discussion also addressed sensationalism, particularly in reporting on tragedy, violence and personal loss, and the risks of allowing audience metrics to take priority over privacy and human dignity. Another important issue concerned the relationship between journalism and activism. While journalists may personally support legitimate causes, the conference highlighted the importance of preserving distinctions between reporting, advocacy and political engagement if journalism is to retain public confidence in its independence.
Platforms, Newsrooms and the Future of Journalism
“What Does It Take to Be a Journalist Today?” explored the changing public role of journalists in comparison with online creators who may command significantly larger audiences. Participants considered both the points of overlap and the fundamental differences between the two professions, particularly in relation to verification, accountability, ethics and editorial responsibility.
The afternoon session “The Disappearing Newsroom: Freelancers, Distance and Accountability” addressed the weakening of traditional newsroom structures and the consequences this may have for editorial oversight, professional development and responsibility for published work.
The conference concluded with reflections from Christoph Plate, Director KAS Media SEE who returned to the central question of what it means for journalism to “reclaim journalism” in practice. Rather than offering a single solution, the closing remarks highlighted the need to defend editorial independence, rebuild public trust, maintain clear professional standards and remain willing to examine mistakes within the profession itself.