Room 1
Room 2
Room 3
09:00-10:15, Room 1
Panel
New Approaches for Building Trust
As confidence in the mainstream media continues to plummet throughout the world, “trust” has become a new buzzword in the search for remedies. Greater engagement with readers, constructive journalism, and collaborative investigative journalism have all shown promise in raising the appreciation of quality media in these troubled times. In this panel, a group of scholars will discuss some of the most recent examples of such quality media, as well as their impact.
Advocates for Engagement: A Sociotechnical Analysis of Audience Engagement and News
Thomas R. Schmidt, Assistant Professor, University of California, San Diego, USA
Is Constructive Journalism the Answer in Societies with Low Levels of Trust in Institutional Media? The Case of Greece's Orthos Logos
Michael Nevradakis, Communication Instructor, Deree-American College of Greece, Greece
Rebuilding Investigative Journalism - Collaborative Journalism: Sharing Information, Sharing Risk
Pedro Coelho, Investigative Journalist, SIC TV, Visiting Assistant Professor, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal
Inês Rodrigues, Journalist, SIC TV, Portugal
Moderator:
Christian Christensen, Professor of Journalism, University of Stockholm, USA/Sweden
09:00-10:15, Room 2
Special Address
Putting Quality Journalism Back at the Core – How to Help (Local) Newsrooms Thrive
In cooperation with the Czech-German Future Fund
Digital transformation has become a substantial threat to local media, much more so than to other types of news media. But it also holds promise for innovation. One concept that aims at reviving local media is the Table Stakes Project. Conceived in the US, it is now moving to Europe under the guidance of Wan-Ifra, funded by Google’s DNI. Alexandra Borchardt will talk about innovation in local journalism and why it makes sense to start there.
Alexandra Borchardt, Senior Research Associate, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, University of Oxford, Germany/United Kingdom
10:15-10:30
BREAK
10:30-11:45, Room 1
Workshop
Online Safety: A Comprehensive System for Investigative Journalists
In cooperation with the International Visegrad Fund
The increasing exposure to security threats from around the world requires a renewed focus on boosting journalists' online and physical safety. In this workshop, current security solutions (e.g., secure drops, anonymous and encrypted communication, multisig implementations for secure storage, etc.) that have been individually implemented will be reviewed and integrated into a new approach for individuals and media companies of all sizes looking to protect journalists' safety. The goal of the workshop is to ensure that anyone operating in a threatening security environment, and faced with potential pressure from unknown actors, will see the benefits of adopting a comprehensive system to enable secure information sharing and storage, and that such measures will soon become commonplace.
Martin Leskovjan, Country Manager, Citadelo, Chair, Paralelní Polis, Czechia
10:30-11:45, Room 2
Panel
Getting the Message Out in Restrictive Settings
In countries where the state controls, either directly or indirectly, the majority of the media, independent outlets need to get creative to stand out, and come up with new production and distribution methods and even new formats for quality journalism. In this panel, the speakers will discuss exiled media from Azerbaijan and the use of new technologies to open channels of communication with audiences; the adoption of video journalism in Hungary and its significance for independent media; the hugely popular decision of Takie Dela in Russia to cover pressing social issues and launch campaigns to help the needy; and Telegram’s
emergence in Uzbekistan as a leading information source.
Staying Uncensored in Censored Times: Stories of New Media Initiatives from Azerbaijan
Arzu Geybulla, Freelance Journalist, Azerbaijan/Turkey
Video Journalism in Post-Truth Hungary
Györgyi Rétflavi, Professor, Budapest Metropolitan University, Hungary
Combining Journalism with Direct Support for Charities
Vladimir Shvedov, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Takie Dela, Russia
Moderator:
Filip Noubel, Managing Editor, Global Voices, Czechia
11:45-12:45
LUNCH
12:45-14:00, Room 1
Panel
Equality in Career Opportunities for Women and Men in News Media: What's Working?
In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture of Czechia, the Austrian Cultural Forum in Prague, and the Embassy of Sweden
Although women dominate journalism schools, that is not reflected in the management structures of news media. Vertical gender segregation is significant. According to the International Women‘s Media Foundation, since 2011, 73% of top management jobs in media have been occupied by men. According to Nieman Report, in 2017, only one out of 25 global news organizations was run by a woman. In response to that, some news media have adopted strategies and policies to ensure that women and men have equal career opportunities within their organizations. What are some of those strategies and policies, what is their impact, and what best practices can be adopted elsewhere?
Christiana Jankovics, Head of Equal Opportunities Commission, ORF, Austria
Zuzanna Ziomecka, Journalist, Editor, Newsroom Leadership Coach, Poland
Greta Gober, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Stockholm, Poland/Sweden
Marína Urbániková, Assistant Professor, Masaryk University, Czechia
Moderator:
Lenka Kabrhelová, Podcast Host, Czech Radio, Czechia
12:45-14:00, Room 2
Panel
Investigative Journalism: Leading Examples from the Visegrad region and the Western Balkans
In cooperation with the International Visegrad Fund
The Visegrad and Western Balkans regions often provide examples of skillful and impactful investigative reporting. Well-researched stories from those regions often cross the borders of several countries and hold those in power accountable. What are some leading examples of investigative journalism from those regions, what did those investigations entail, and what best practices can be shared?
Dragana Zarkovic Obradovic, Country Director, Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (Serbia Office), Serbia
Tamás Bodoky, Editor-in-Chief, Atlatszo, Hungary
Roman Imielski, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Gazeta Wyborcza, Poland
Marek Wollner, Editor-in-Chief of Investigative Reporting, Czech TV, Czechia
Moderator:
Daniela Vrbová, Journalist, Czech Radio, Czechia
12:45-14:00, Room 3
Panel
Evolving Communication Strategies
Over the past decade, various media outlets have introduced interactive elements into their production of new content as they try to engage audiences that demand more than the traditional formats for consuming news and entertainment. The same is true for governments and companies, which have attempted, sometimes successfully, to try to change their style of communication with the public from traditional, one-way broadcasting into a more interactive and proactive form of public relations.
Fan Activism: Between Transformative Fandom and "Ordinary Viewers"
Iveta Jansová, Researcher, Lecturer, Masaryk University, Czechia
Governmental Identity in the Online Environment Eller
Elena Farcas, PhD Researcher, University of Bucharest, Romania
Truth in Journalism and the Evolution of Proactive Public Relations: Responding to Shared Values with the Media in a Collaborative Environment
Dan Eller, Professor, California Polytechnic State University, USA
Moderator:
Gregory Bruno, Communications Manager, Sourcefabric, Czechia
14:00-14:15
BREAK
14:15-14:45, Room 2
Special Address
Crossing Divides
In cooperation with the Embassy of the United Kingdom
Emily Kasriel will showcase Crossing Divides, an ambitious multi-platform project from the BBC, featuring stories about connecting people in a fragmented world. In such an environment, the media help to shape the narrative through the stories they choose to tell and the way they tell them. Usually, the media focus on simplified conflict stories – between people of different cultures, generations, political and religious beliefs, or ethnic backgrounds. Crossing Divides showcases how the media can instead play a transformative role by using fresh storytelling to bring together different views and diverse people, demonstrating the possibilities of more complex identities and a solutions-oriented focus to storytelling.
Emily Kasriel, Head of Editorial Partnerships & Special Projects, BBC, United Kingdom
14:45-16:00, Room 1
Panel
How to Start a Podcast: Comparing Experiences in Germany and Czechia
In cooperation with the Czech-German Future Fund
Podcasts are a rapidly developing media sector and have been a challenge both for independent creators and legacy media players. According to the 2019 Digital News Report, 22% of the German population listen to podcasts. Although the Czech Republic was not part of the survey, according to experts there is no reason to believe that market penetration would not be high. In such an environment, how to use this potential when entering the medium? What are the best strategies for distribution and marketing? How should themes be picked? Are there any country-specific factors that might not work in Germany or the Czech Republic? Alternatively, what are some of the best practices that can be applied in either country?
Nicolaus Berlin, Head, Podimo, Founder, Besser FM, Germany
Lenka Kabrhelová, Podcast Host, Czech Radio, Czechia
Katrin Rönicke, Co-Founder, Hauseins, Germany
Moderator:
Graham Griffith, Media Strategist and Podcast Producer, USA
14:45-16:00, Room 2
Panel
Solutions Journalism: What's Working?
In cooperation with the Embassy of the United Kingdom
Negativity, chaos, and disaster dominate the news, giving consumers a "diet of misery." This not only offers an incomplete and inaccurate picture of the world we live in; it has also led to widespread news fatigue – people tuning out and avoiding journalism altogether. But there's a path forward. Emily Kasriel from the BBC World Service, Mark Rice-Oxley from The Guardian, and Nikita Poljakov from Hospodářské noviny will talk about their attempt to shift the balance of news by also reporting on rigorous responses to social problems and their associated results. They will explain what their vision of solutions journalism is, how they managed to implement that change in their newsrooms, and share best practices.
Mark Rice-Oxley, Head of Special Projects, The Guardian, United Kingdom
Emily Kasriel, Head of Editorial Partnerships & Special Projects, BBC World Service Group, United Kingdom
Nikita Poljakov, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Hospodářské noviny, Czechia
Moderator:
Samantha McCann, Vice President of Practice Change, Solutions Journalism Network, USA
14:45-16:00, Room 3
Panel
Tech for Better Journalism
In cooperation with the Embassy of Switzerland and the Endowment Fund for Independent Journalism
In recent years, data mining and the analysis of open, online sources have become key instruments in conducting investigations into wrongdoing. Hear how open source investigative techniques can solve a murder case without entering the crime scene, and about the most efficient tools to search big unstructured data sets. And learn how collaborative journalism has made these techniques even more powerful.
Titus Plattner, Innovation Project Manager, Tamedia, Switzerland
Aliaume Leroy, Open Source Investigative Journalist, BBC Africa Eye, France/United Kingdom
Moderator:
Tony Curzon Price, Director, openDemocracy, Former Economic Advisor to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, United Kingdom
16:00-16:30
COFFEE BREAK
16:30-17:45, Room 1
Panel
Innovative Experimentation
Three media organizations will discuss how they are tackling some of the media’s most vexing problems and how they are making a difference – from launching a unique model of mission-oriented, collaborative journalism and covering climate change to setting up a new model of paid content for rewarding quality journalism and streamlining a news agency’s editorial process for improved efficiency.
Three media organizations talk about how they are tackling some of the media’s vexing problems and are making a difference.
Clean Energy Wire – CLEW – Better Energy Transition Journalism to Tackle the Climate Crisis
Sven Egenter, Executive Director, Editor-in-Chief, Clean Energy Wire, Germany
Engineering a More Productive Newsroom: Australian Case
Karel Petrák, Project and Product Manager, Sourcefabric, Czechia
New Media Platform with Unique Concept of Paid Content on the Internet
Jan Mikula, Founder, Kairly, Czechia
16:30-17:45, Room 2
Panel
Investigative Journalism in the Visegrad region and the Western Balkans: Achieving Economic Sustainability
In cooperation with the International Visegrad Fund
Investigative journalism is crucial for any functioning democracy, because it exposes issues that are either deliberately concealed by someone in power, or accidentally concealed behind a chaotic mass of facts and circumstances. But how can investigative journalism be a sustainable business if it exposes the behavior of those holding economic or political power? What are the strategies and approaches of investigative journalists operating in the Visegrad and Western Balkan regions? What best practices can they share?
Roden Hoxha, Executive Director, Albanian Center for Quality Journalism, Albania
Tamás Bodoky, Editor-in-Chief, Atlatszo, Hungary
Xenia Makarova, Investigations, Stop Corruption Foundation, Slovakia
Moderator:
Jonathan Stein, Managing Editor, Project Syndicate, Czechia/USA
16:30-17:45, Room 3
Panel
Media Literacy, Trust in Media and Older Adults in the V4 Region
Senior citizens are often referred to as “digital immigrants,” because they formed their information habits before the widespread use of digital technologies but are now joining the internet in increasing numbers. This exposes them to fake news and disinformation campaigns that target them through specific messaging and channels. Although many players, especially in vulnerable regions in Central and Eastern Europe, are creating media literacy initiatives for young audiences, very few efforts are aimed directly at senior citizens. Transitions and its partners in V4 countries have piloted a series of initiatives across the region to fill this gap and will share their learnings, including how the focus on disinformation and "fake news" can backfire, why increased media literacy doesn't mean greater trust in quality sources, and whether the general population in the V4 region really distrusts the media.
Nikola Hořejš, Analyst, STEM Public research Agency, Czechia
Marek Mračka, Project Coordinator, Memo 98, Slovakia
Jaroslav Valůch, Project Coordinator, Transitions, Czechia
Sándor Orbán, Director, Center for Independent Journalism, Hungary
Karolina Smigiel, Project Coordinator, Association of Creative Initiatives “ę”, Poland
17:45-18:15, Room 2
Special Address
Empowering Audiences
In cooperation with the Austrian Cultural Forum in Prague
Virtually every day we hear about the perceived crisis of journalism, and the desperate search for glimmers of hope about what's working. But what do we mean by that? What works financially? What works for improving society? What works for engaging audiences? For journalism to flourish in an era of participatory technology, it has to be more responsive to audience needs, and in a variety of ways.
Folker Hanusch, Professor, University of Vienna, Austria