Journalistic Weapons
Truth is up for election, and journalism is on the frontlines鈥攃an it still defend democracy in the age of AI and disinformation? The University of Bergen and Media Cluster Norway are pleased to welcome you to our event in Brussels.
Main content
Backdrop
Journalism has long been seen as a cornerstone of democratic life 鈥� but today, its role is being tested, as social media is becoming a main source of information and different actors vie听to influence the public sphere and thereby also political debates and elections.听New EU initiatives such as the t, the , and the forthcoming aim to strengthen democratic resilience and media freedom and integrity. But at the same time, the journalism sector faces deep challenges: economic fragility, algorithmic influence, and the spread of disinformation 鈥� increasingly enabled by AI.听听
This event will bring together voices from European newsrooms, academia, and policy to ask:听听
- Does journalism have public value in the digital age or does it need to adapt?听听
- What are the tools for countering disinformation?听听
- Journalism is a trusted force for democracy, but does it get enough support? 听
- What are the knowledge gaps we need to fill 鈥� what research, innovation and education do we need to be ready for the media challenges of the future?听
Programme
12:30 | Welcome, registration and networking lunch |
| 12:30 | Welcome |
13:35 | Keynote |
13:50 | Panel 1: Truth is up for election
Moderated by: Per Christian Magnus, Director, Centre for Investigative Journalism (SUJO), University of Bergen |
14:55 | Short Break |
15:10 | Panel 2: Building weapons to fight disinformation
Moderated by: Helge O. Svela, CEO, Media Cluster Norway 听 |
16:10 | Panel 3 The future of the journalistic profession
Moderated by: Kristin Nordby, Journalist听in Brussels for the Norwegian academic newspaper Khrono |
17.10 | Closing remarks |
听 | Networking reception |
听
Publication: Seeking Truth, Ensuring Quality
on 28 April the University of Bergen in collaboration with Media Cluster Norway, presented this publication as a part of the Journalistic Weapons conference. It highlights the diverse efforts that are underway to uphold information integrity, counter disinformation, and strengthen journalism's role as a cornerstone of democratic life. In addition to documenting ongoing initiatives, the publication aims to raise awareness of the urgent need for sustained support for journalism through a multi-stakeholder approach. With voices from newsrooms, academia, civil society, and public institutions, it emphasises the shared responsibility of all sectors to preserve the democratic value of journalism. Therefore, this publication also intends to be a resource for everyone involved in safeguarding public discourse, from newsroom professionals to policymakers and academics.
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.
Read more here
About Media Cluster Norway听
Media Cluster Norway is a leading innovation cluster, bringing together news media, academia and cutting-edge media technology, thus encompassing the entire media value chain in one integrated ecosystem. This makes the cluster uniquely positioned to foster collaboration on groundbreaking projects such as Project Reynir, a leading initiative to combat the threat of disinformation powered by generative AI, and to ensure content authenticity. Globally recognized as a centre of expertise, Media Cluster Norway sets the standard for innovation and collaboration in the media industry.
Read more
About 幸运飞艇计划听
幸运飞艇计划 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.听幸运飞艇计划 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鈥� funding portfolio.听
