European Federation of Journalists

Trust and quality in journalism

With the proliferation of the so-called “fake news”, rebuilding trust and  ensuring quality in journalism are becoming ever more important to fight against disinformation. How can journalists and media reach a diverse audience and provide trustworthy information to citizens to participate in the democratic processes and make informed choices?

Meanwhile, the question of finding sustainable financing for journalism remains as a challenge. Today, journalists are working in an increasingly precarious condition – more workloads, longer hours and more demands on multiple skills. Without decent working conditions and sustainable financing models, quality journalism can barely thrive.

The new project, Trust and quality in journalism, with key social partners European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and the European Newspaper Publishers’ Association (ENPA), aims to find innovative ways for latest training needs and cooperation to address all these key issues.

Overall objective

The main objectives of the project are to promote best practices, exchange ideas on key issues that influence the main topic of the project through five workshops and a final conference. It also aims to engage in social dialogue with national and European partners.

Activities

Five thematic capacity-building workshops focusing on:

A final conference with a focus on Gender equality and diversity, building upon EFJ adopted Gender Manifesto with a focus on violence against women (Malaga, Spain), March 2022.

Expert Exchange Visits: personal and intensive coaching from a one-on-one, hands-on approach to deal with specific issues and develop tailor-made strategies.

Studies: an updated study on digital journalism and new financial models; a manual for the Copyright national implementation work; and a case study on how long journalists stay in their profession.

Actions

Trust in Media Telework Webinar: Challenges, opportunities and the way forward

On 22 and 23 September, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) hosted a two-day webinar on “Trust in media: Telework during and after the Covid-19 pandemic”. Distinguished speakers explored the challenges, opportunities and future of work in the journalism sector. In particular, the practice of hybrid working will be the trend. Media employers and journalists’ organisations play an important role to help journalists transit smoothly to the new working environment while guaranteeing decent and fair working conditions for all. The webinars were part of a cooperation between the Trust and quality in journalism project, co-funded by the European Commission (DG…

Online seminar “Trust in media: Photojournalism in the digital age”

The “Photojournalism in the Digital Age” webinar – the last in the series of five as part of the “Trust and Quality in Journalism” project – will be held online on the 25th and 26th of October 2021. The webinar will discuss the role of photojournalists in the digital age and the challenges they face at work. The second day’s panel will explore how risks to health and safety can be mitigated. Registration Registrations are open! To register for day 1, 25 October, from 1 PM – 3.15 PM, click here. For day 2, 26 October, from 1 PM –…

Webinar “Trust in media: Telework during and after the Covid-19 pandemic”

The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is hosting a series of webinars on teleworking and hybrid working during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. This new way of working has brought new challenges to journalists and media organisations, such as issues regarding the separation of work and private life at home in connection to mental health and the right to disconnect. As it has become clear that this “new normal” will last beyond the current health crisis, the webinars will discuss the challenges and address how journalists organisations and media employers should adapt. The webinars received financial support from UNESCO and the European…

New EFJ study: Sustainable innovative journalism and new business models

Today, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) published a report examining initiatives that aim to promote sustainable innovative journalism, including those that explore new business models. This report, written by international media expert Marc Gruber follows and updates a previous report on digital journalism and new business models and a workshop held in 2018. Against the backdrop of a collapsing traditional business model for media, journalism has to constantly reinvent itself and be viable and financially sustainable. Structured in six sections, this report provides numerous examples and approaches that show common trends and ideas to reach this much-needed sustainability and innovation. The survey found that successful…

Takeaways of webinar “Trust in media: Trends, skills and training in journalism”

On 23 and 24 June, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) organised a two-day webinar on trends, skills and training in journalism as part of the Trust and quality in journalism project. Invited speakers addressed what journalistic skills are needed to thrive in the digital world and how media companies and journalists’ organisations can provide support to journalists. Day 1 The first day’s speakers were media professionals from various fields who shared their insights on the latest trends in journalism and skills required. Monique Hofmann, General Secretary of the German journalists’ union, dju in ver.di, opened the webinar by emphasising…

Online seminar “Trust in media: Trends, Skills and Training in Journalism”

The journalistic profession is rapidly changing as a result of the emergence of new technologies. Journalists are expected to acquire new skills and do multi-tasking. They have to be an all-in-one journalist, photographer and camera operator. At the same time, they are caught up in the 24-hours news cycle and lack the time to take part in training in order to learn new skills. Instead, most of them are learning these new skills while performing their jobs. Media companies are less and less interested in offering training for their journalists due to budget cuts. How can we solve this dilemma…