The most impactful event I organised for EANA so far – the debate on The Role of News Agencies in Fighting Disinformation in Europe – took place yesterday at the European Parliament.
Graciously co-hosted by two Vice Presidents of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno and Antonella Sberna, with a keynote address from Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, and European Commissioner for Digital and Frontier Technologies, and a video message from EP Vice President Victor NEGRESCU, the event gave European news agencies not only a voice in Brussels, but also the high-level audience they deserve.
The support manifested by them for news agencies and trustworthy journalism was clear and definitely commendable.
Many thanks also to MEPs Ivaylo Valchev from the EP’s CULT Committee and Stefano Cavadegna, the Vice-chair of the Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield for taking part and sharing their support for real, trusted media.
I’m happy that, from the news media’s side, not only news agencies were in the room, though. Therefore, I would like to thank Andrew Moger, the CEO of the News Media Coalition, Stig Kirk Ørskov, the CEO of WAN-IFRA, the World Association of News Publishers, Jonathan Lockwood VP of Getty Images for the insights they shared. I got the confirmation that we are all in this together, as we should be. Cooperation is the way.
I highly appreciate the support I got from my colleagues from the Board of EANA – The European Alliance of News Agencies, before an during the event.
Patrick Lacroix delivered a powerful speech outlining the importance of news agencies as part of the critical infrastructure for European democracy, calling for stronger copyright frameworks and mandatory transparency regarding AI training.
Claudia Victoria Nicolae and Aimilios Perdikaris both underlined the importance news agencies have for society.
Stefano De Alessandri, the CEO of ANSA and President of EANA, stated that “If we let disinformation actors win, we lose control of democracy.” and summed everything up very clearly: No consent, no content.
That was definitely a debate I really enjoyed moderating.
More details in the upcoming press release, which I’ll share in the comments section. Photos: Eric Lamand, Belga News Agency.
