“Supra for Stories”, Maison du MédiaLab monthly event with MEP Rasa Juknevičienė,
MEP Tobias Cremer, Promote Georgia Team, Christophe Leclercq and Europe MédiaLab team, May 2025.
Monthly event: “Supra for Stories”: A Georgian Evening of Culture & Resilience
On 14 May 2025 in Brussels, Europe MediaLab and Promote Georgia organised a cultural evening centred on Georgia. MEPs Rasa Juknevičienė and Tobias Cremer led an open discussion addressing the challenges facing journalists and media in Georgia, underlining the essential role of a free press in defending democracy. Joining live from Tbilisi, Beka Beriashvili offered an insight into the mission of the Maison du MediaLab and the resilience of Georgian media under pressure, reinforcing the importance of collaboration and support for media independence. Guests were treated to an authentic Georgian culinary experience by Chez Maté, who served khachapuri, spinach and aubergine fritters on mchadi, and sweet gozinaki, while also hosting a hands-on khachapuri workshop that embodied the warmth of Georgian hospitality.
MEPs cooking during “Chez Maté” workshop.
Fresh off the press – Continuity fund a launch: help for “Maison” |
| Journalists in East Europe are under mounting pressure, now intensified by the suspension of USAID funding and the likely closure of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL).
In response, Europe Médialab is launching the Maison du MédiaLab Correspondent Continuity Fund to support journalists. This initiative aims to ensure that Eastern journalists can come and stay in Brussels, continuing their vital reporting for their home countries. How can you help? You can subscribe (€1,000 or €500 per year to support a correspondent’s salary, easy to set up annually with an opt-out anytime), share this on LinkedIn or your socials with a colleague, and refer potential subscribers or donors. We invite all supporters of press freedom to join us in this urgent effort. |
Second wave of Eastern journalists are about to come to Maison du MédiaLab- Get to know their media!Last month, Maison du MédiaLab programme’s selection committee, made of Europe MédiaLab along with the EFJ (European Federation of Journalists) and API-IPA (International Press Association), selected six new journalists from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. Armenian correspondents have also been selected, they await funding. Meanwhile, the rest of residents of the first wave prepare to continue in Brussels as permanent correspondents, now staying outside the Maison. Here is a brief presentation of the media selected: gain 2 Ukrainians, 2 Moldovans and 2 Georgians. |
Luka Khachidze
Formula News is a Georgian television network known for its critical stance towards the ruling Georgian Dream party, offering news, political commentary, and entertainment programming.
Olha Kyrylova
Telegraf UA is a Ukrainian socio-political online publication established in 2012, providing comprehensive coverage of national and international news, including politics, economy, and culture.
Luminita Toma
Teleradio-Moldova is the national public broadcaster of Moldova, offering multilingual television and radio services with a focus on balanced and inclusive journalism.
Zaza Abashidze
Civil.ge, founded in 2001, is a Tbilisi-based trilingual platform offering independent coverage of Georgian affairs.
RealPolitika, launched in 2021, is a multimedia outlet tackling global politics and disinformation through contextual analysis in which Zaza Abashidze is the Editor-In-Chief.
Milana Holovan
LIGA.net is a leading Ukrainian online media platform, providing independent news and analysis on politics, business, technology, and society, with a strong commitment to journalistic standards.
Felicia Ganev
Ziarul de Gardă is Moldova’s leading investigative newspaper, renowned for exposing corruption and human rights violations since its founding in 2004.
World Press Freedom Day
In May, Europe MédiaLab team had the opportunity to join UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Day. This year, the conference focused on “Reporting in the Brave New World: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.” It highlighted how AI is transforming journalism—offering benefits such as improved content creation and access to information, while also posing risks. Europe MédiaLab met with several stakeholders, advocating for safeguard freedom of expression, and foster inclusive, informed, and democratic digital societies.
Europe Dialogues House European History
Europe MédiaLab had the opportunity to attend the Europe Dialogues at the House of European History on 22–23 May 2025. Organised by the French Embassy in Belgium, the French Permanent Representation to the EU, and the Institut Français, the event brought together young European citizens, experts, academics, and policymakers to explore youth aspirations and the future of the European project.