Exit News has been invited to take part in a panel at the UNESCO World Press Freedom Conference 2020, discussing the challenges of working in the media in Eastern Europe and the Balkans.
Supported by the Dutch government, the international conference is one of the most well-attended and prestigious media events in the world and will be held at The Hague, in the Netherlands between 22 and 24 April.
The theme of the conference this year is “Journalism Without Fear or Favour”. The first day of the conference will focus on editorial independence and media capture, including understanding the way in which third parties control the media. Attendees will also discuss protecting editorial independence, addressing impunity for attacks on journalists, and the issue of a lack of pluralism in media ownership.
Attacks and harassment against journalists and freelancers both online and offline will be a key topic as well as defending and increasing the role of journalistic ethics and standards in the online world.
The event will include panel discussions, debates, roundtables, workshops, coaching, networking, exhibitions, performances and networking opportunities. It will be attended by journalists, media organisations and media stakeholders from the world’s biggest, best, and most respected media outlets.
Exit has been invited to partake in a panel where they will give a presentation on the current media environment in Albania, including challenges journalists face in terms of harassment and the controversial “anti-defamation” law passed by the government in December 2019. There will also be an opportunity to discuss Exit’s work towards countering media capture, disinformation, fake news and instead promoting fact-checking, refusal of editorial lines, and a funding policy that excludes donations from government, political parties, politicians, and advertising.
Journalist at Exit News, Rezarta Caushaj said; “the participation in such prestigious event as World Press Freedom Conference enables us not only to contribute to a wider debate about the issues the media faces but also exchange approaches and share the best practices on how to address them; not to mention the possibility to network and/or collaborate on stories with other interested parties.”
Exit will bring you reports, updates, and the opportunity to watch the panel via live stream from the event.
