Panel Discussion

Threats to independent journalism around the world: the impact of financial instability on news outlets’ editorial control

Independent journalism is beset by ongoing challenges – from limiting access to data, to punitive legislation and even threat or actual harm to reporters themselves. Meanwhile, dire economic repercussions created by a drop in revenues are threatening the long-term financial sustainability of many news outlets, placing their future at the mercy of business, individual or state control. Vulnerable to the highest bidder, how can editorial independence be safeguarded? We look at the impact of recent events on press freedom and independent journalism around the world, and explore its implications for the next decade.

•Lina Attalah, Journalist, Mada Masr

•Rasmus Nielsen, Director, The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism; Professor of Political Communications, University of Oxford

•Sheetal Vyas, Founding Executive Director, International Fund for Public Interest Media

Insight Session

In partnership with the Internet Society

Panel

The race for cyber sovereignty

The past 20 years have witnessed an exponential growth and adoption of digital technologies. Two governance models are emerging. In the West, technology companies and governments are struggling to reframe their relationship, with policy makers and civil society increasingly keen to safeguard democracy and human rights. In China, where the digital ecosystem is much more open to government scrutiny and regulation, Chinese leaders cite greater efficiency of state services and security in a push to protect and promote their models of digital governance. We look at the issue of cyber sovereignty and its many repercussions on people and society.

•Brett Solomon, Executive Director, Access Now

•Eileen Donahoe, Executive Director, Global Digital Policy Incubator, Stanford University

•Mark Surman, Executive Director, Mozilla Foundation

•Xue Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University

Insight Session

Defending media freedom: Introducing the ‘Legal Network for Journalism at Risk’

The Thomson Reuters Foundation, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and Media Legal Defence Initiative introduce the ‘Legal Network for Journalism At Risk’, a new joint initiative to expand the reach and impact of legal assistance available to journalists through better coordination between support organisations. Ensuring that journalists and media outlets receive adequate legal representation, free of charge, means that different forms of support need to be provided throughout the duration of the cases against them. This new Network will coordinate support to journalists and media outlets throughout the life of their legal cases, more effectively leverage existing resources, and strengthen the whole ecosystem through the production of legal tools.

•Alinda Vermeer, Chief Executive Officer, Media Legal Defence Initiative

Insight Session

Diversity in the newsroom: Ensuring a plurality of voices

International protest movements such as #Metoo and Black Lives Matter have underscored the fact that press coverage can only be accurate, equitable and trustworthy if newsrooms are diverse. What is the state of diversity within newsrooms today? What work still needs to be done, and who can we learn from on this front?

•Alessandra Galloni, Editor in Chief, Reuters

•Danielle Belton, Editor in Chief, Huffington Post

•Nina Goswami, Creative Diversity Lead, BBC

Panel

Female journalists under attack: How online and real world threats risk limiting women’s participation in journalism

From outright misogyny to death threats, female journalists continue to experience unprecedented levels of harassment - with dangerous consequences ranging from physical and psychological harm to a decrease in their actual contributions to journalism. What are the risks and realities of the violence exerted against female journalists both online and in the ‘real world’? What needs to be done to protect these journalists in this climate?

•Dr Julie Posetti, Global Director of Research, International Center for Journalists

•Patricia Georgiou, Head of Partnerships and Business Development, Jigsaw

•Zanji Sinkala, Investigative Multimedia Journalist