“Maison du MédiaLab Garden Party”: became a House Party, given Belgium’s weather and crew…
On Wednesday, 24th, we celebrated the integration of six new correspondents from Eastern Europe in the Brussels Press Corps, Europe MédiaLab’s new Chairman: Radovan Geist, from Euractiv Slovakia and Comenius University was introduced.
The event gathered EU officials, ambassadors, partners, and media stakeholders for a lively evening with opening remarks from Radovan Geist and Aliaksandr Babiy, contributions from MEP Lucia Yar, Hans Hack FTI Brussels, and Tinatin Tsertsvadze OSF Brussels, and insights from Mykola Chernotytskyi (Suspilne Ukraine) and Cristina Pohilenco (Jurnal TV, Moldova).
Christophe Leclercq closed by underlining our future priorities: building Trusted European Platforms (TEPs) within the “Democracy Shield” and advancing our Stars4Media-DEMOCRACY Horizon Europe application. More than a celebration, it was a moment to reaffirm our collective commitment to this Democracy infrastructure.
Moldova: Media, Democracy and Europe
At the beginning of September, in Chișinău, Aliaksandr Babiy Europe MédiaLab Deputy CEO, presented the Maison du MédiaLab programme to media leaders, foundations, and EU Embassies.
The event came just before Moldova chose again a pro-European path in its parliamentary elections, a milestone for democracy and integration. Thanks to the programme, Moldovan outlets now have four Brussels-based correspondents, where there were none a year ago, ensuring direct coverage of the EU and NATO for audiences back home. Ambassador Evert Maréchal (Belgium), Andrei Zapsa (Teleradio-Moldova) and Dumitru Mișin (Jurnal TV) shared valuable perspectives.
Founder Christophe Leclercq reminds that the programme began with private sector funding and depends on continued support. Media and Journalist selection carried out in partnership with the European Federation of Journalists and the International Press Association.
More than a residency, the Maison du MédiaLab is a democracy infrastructure: preparing permanent Brussels correspondents, therefore alos fact-based media across Eastern Europe.
State of the Union 2025: Defence, Data… what about DEMOCRACY?
In her SOTEU speech, Ursula von der Leyen focused on defence, technology and energy. On democracy, she announced funding for media resilience and efforts against news deserts, plus commitments on the rule of law, media literacy and fact-checking.
These are welcome, but Europe’s weakness is structural: we still lack Trusted European Platforms (TEPs). Regulation such as the DSA and DMA addresses behaviour, but not structure. Without EU-level action, citizens remain dependent on US tech giants or small national ventures.
Democracy needs its sovereign infrastructure not only US platforms. More may come under the Democracy Shield on 12 November.
Journalists updates – from “wave 2” residents:
As Brussels correspondent, Zaza Abashidze has reported on the EU’s warning to “Georgian Dream” over the 4 October elections, the nomination of Mzia Amaghlobeli for the Sakharov Prize, and debates on the possible suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime.
As Brussels correspondent, Luka Khachidze has reported on the EU’s warning to “Georgian Dream” over the 4 October elections, the nomination of Mzia Amaghlobeli for the Sakharov Prize, and debates on the possible suspension of Georgia’s visa-free regime.
