Brussels Media Express
Association of European Journalists in Belgium (AEJ Belgium)
AEJ Belgium promotes critical journalism of the European Union, freedom of the press and support to EU correspondents.
Hey everyone!
It’s been a while since our last update, but we’ve been busy behind the scenes! At AEJ Belgium, we’re gearing up for an exciting event on 20 November in the Press Club – looking into how journalists struggle to get documents and how the EU institutions can improve transparency.?
We’ll dive into the concrete challenges that journalists face in obtaining information and explore ways the EU institutions can become more open. Thanks to our panellists, (EU ombudsman Emily O’Reilly, MEP Evin Incir, and FTM journalist Lise Witteman) it promises to be a lively and important discussion, and we’d love to see you there! You can find more info below.
Meanwhile, we’re continuing our work with the EU Media Advocacy Group, pushing forward on important issues for journalists and media freedom.?
We also have several new projects in the pipeline that we can’t wait to share with you.?
Stay tuned, and thank you for your continued support!
In this edition:
Event on Nov. 20: Unlocking EU transparency! The power of public access to documents
Journalists have the right to access documents from EU institutions, bodies, and agencies, but they often face delays and obstacles. Last year, the EU Ombudsman found that the European Commission missed transparency deadlines in 85 percent of cases: a clear sign that there is still much work to be done to ensure compliance with EU law. Moreover, sensitive topics like public security, defence, and military matters are typically exempt from the rules on access to documents, despite their growing importance to the EU. Join us at our event as we explore these challenges and discuss ways to advocate for greater access to documents in the EU with European Ombudsman Emily O’Reilly, MEP MEP Evin I. , and journalist Lise Witteman .
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leading experts on EU transparency, access to documents, and the ongoing challenges journalists face in holding EU institutions accountable. Whether you're a journalist, researcher, or simply passionate about transparency in governance, this event will provide valuable insights and practical strategies to push for more open access to crucial EU information. Check the programme and register here.
The ‘Maison du MédiaLab’ project
There are over one thousand accredited journalists in Brussels who regularly cover EU affairs. But, Europe MédiaLab has realised that there are hardly any Brussels-based journalists from EU neighbours such as Ukraine (4), Moldova (0), Georgia (3) and Armenia (2). In fact, Ukraine’s national broadcaster Suspline, has no reporters in Brussels at all.
“Everything relies on Journalists,” David Mekkaoui, managing director of Europe MédiaLab, told AEJ Belgium in an interview. To this end, the organisation, a “think-and-do-tank”, aims to support a healthy media sector in Europe through projects that enhance cooperation between outlets, especially across European countries. For more info about this project, check this piece by our board member Sonja Rijnen.
领英推荐
EU media advocacy group: Georgia’s Family Values Bill imposes censorship on media
AEJ Belgium joined a group of international press freedom advocates, journalists and human rights organisations in condemning Georgia’s recently adopted Family Values Bill, which imposes censorship on media by banning broadcasters from freely reporting on LGBT+ issues. We argue that the restrictions on reporting about LGBT+ issues and public gatherings implied in the law are in conflict with freedom of expression assembly and association, which are enshrined in the Constitution of Georgia. You can see the full statement here.
European Parliament announces 2024 winners of the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism
Every year, the European Parliament awards the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism, to recognise “outstanding journalism that promotes or defends the core principles and values of the European Union such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, rule of law and human rights”. The prize is named after Daphne Caruana Galizia, a Maltese journalist, writer and blogger who was assassinated in 2017.
Hundreds of journalists submitted their work for consideration of which 13 were shortlisted. On Oct. 23, this year's 20,000 euro prize fund was awarded to the consortium ‘Lost in Europe’ for their article: “More than 50,000 unaccompanied migrant children vanished in Europe in the past three years”. You can read the winning article here.?
The investigation was conducted by media from across Europe including Germany, Italy, Greece, the Netherlands, Ireland and the UK.?
AEJ Belgium collaborates with Valencia on Urban Agenda launch in Brussels
AEJ had the pleasure to attend the presentation of the Urban Agenda of the Diputacio de Valencia on Oct. 10in Brussels. The project aims to implement the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations at an urban level in the eastern Spanish region to address future challenges related to territorial, environmental, social and economic development, in order to achieve more sustainable, inclusive, safe and resilient cities. You can read Gabriela Lopez’s article here.
Upcoming events
Don’t miss Julian Hale’s new piece on what’s next on the Brussels agenda. In Brussels, the Press Club will host a photo exhibit in November featuring Ditmar Schaedel’s images capturing East German life after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Also, the European Commission’s Translating Europe Forum will explore AI’s role in translation. December brings a Brusseleer version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to town.
Support AEJ Belgium
AEJ Belgium wants to deliver value to its members by being a voice in debates and policymaking that concerns and impacts journalists, offering networking opportunities and helping young people who have recently entered the industry.?
With AEJ Belgium’s activities in full swing, we kindly ask our members to keep supporting our work with membership contributions for 2024. For those who want to help but don’t know how, please visit our website or send us an email at [email protected] to receive all the info. We also have a new discounted option for students!
Discover, learn, grow: Five must-read articles (in case you missed them)