Deadline: September 16, 2019 00:00 CEST| Apply here
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Eligibility: Applicants must: be under 35 years old, be a citizen of an ASEM Partner country, be currently employed as a journalist or media professional (traditional media, online media, freelance are all eligible), have experience and/or projects on the topic of media trust, misinformation and disinformation
Location: Madrid, Spain

ASEF Journalists’ Seminar 2019

ASEFJS12 is a training-oriented event that offers young journalists from Asi666a and Europe the chance to come together to share their professional media experiences and perspectives from national and regional levels.

The event, themed ‘Media Trust & Information in the Digital Age’, is aimed at providing young journalists with the tools needed to thrive in an uncertain media climate

The Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) welcomes applications for the 12th ASEF Journalists’ Seminar (ASEFJS12), to be held on 13-14 December 2019 in Madrid, Spain. ASEFJS12 is a side event of the 14th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (ASEMFMM14).

Travels to and from Madrid, accommodation, and meals during the programme will be covered by the organisers.

Media Trust & Information in the Digital Age

Today’s media climate is characterised by uncertainty, not least of all in terms of trustworthiness. It has become necessary for the public to regularly question all sources of information (media, governments, businesses, social networks, etc.) and think critically about how digital technology and social media platforms themselves can be conduits of information disorder.

With the focus on the topic of misinformation in the recent past, there is an increasing demand for media sources that are trustworthy. This is exemplified by the numerous media literacy initiatives that have been launched by governments and civil society organisations around the world.

On the other hand, journalists too have a role to play in the fight against dis- and misinformation, by equipping themselves with modern tools of fact-checking and social media verification.

ASEFJS12 will, therefore, explore how a trust-based approach to reporting can be adopted and strengthened by news media organisations and journalists. This is to help shape positive perceptions among ASEM societies of the value that Asia-Europe relationships present.

Format

As a primarily training-oriented event, ASEFJS12 will adopt a module-based approach focused on maximising benefits and encouraging tangible takeaways.

The event will feature a dynamic format, combining different modules and their related sub-topics to curate a productive educational programme for all participants involved.

The overall aim is to address journalists’ needs and challenges by providing them with the tools needed to tackle disinformation in the digital age.

Modules

The proposed modules follow a structure that first establishes a common understanding of the nature and magnitude of threats to modern journalism, while carefully setting demarcations to keep within realistic boundaries.

Expert views and innovative tools will be used to show exemplary journalistic practices that serve as credible alternatives to that make it possible for media to be considered trustworthy.

Prior to the event, participants will be given the opportunity to propose to host a presentation of a project or initiative they have been involved in.

Some presentations will be selected, and these participants will be given the chance to share their initiative with the others.

Synergy with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs)

Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16 seeks to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels”.

Target 16.10 aims to “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”.

Interested in applying for the ASEF Journalists’ Seminar 2019 Register your participation by following the application link and taking the suggested steps.

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