Two good news at our MédiaLab: a visit by Commission VP Vera Jourova and the patronage by Parliament President Metsola. But let’s first handle the elephant crushing in the room…
I am saddened by Trump’s re-election, like most of you. And by extremes in some EU countries, pressure on Ukraine, and further democracies in danger, like Moldova, Georgia, Armenia. All have one thing in common: disinformation and divided societies.
Saddened, but not destabilized. History shows it: extremes come and go, like the pendulum swinging back and forth. Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking: action is required, on climate change, Russia’s aggression, economic stagnation, media turnaround etc.
In the geopolitical arena, Europe holds trump cards—excuse the pun, I don’t mean Orban, Meloni etc, but encouraging news. The UK, despite Brexit, leads the swing of the pendulum. France (just) avoided an extreme right government. Poland shows leadership, increasing defense spending. EU elections went quite well: they usher in a mainstream Commission, just in time to listen and shift priorities.
As for the media sector, it is shaken in its business models, but not down: still strong brands, good people and standards; and at EU level: a better legislative frame. MédiaLab and others asked for one Democracy Commissioner: in fact, we will have two!
Journalist-driven media can help. Helped by AI and platform algorithms, surely, but not dominated. To save us from the same fate as in the US, in Europe – more than ever – platforms need to be regulated. Regulated, not censored. Their algorithms drive what people see (including disinformation leading to hatred), but they could reflect factual credibility better. This is doable, projects are considered, to leverage in , like press councils, trust indicators etc (just ask us).
This Wednesday (picture), we discussed similar points with EU Commission Vice-President Vera Jourova, currently in charge of media and democracy. It was not an interview: we don’t quote her, except for this: ‘Maison du MédiaLab is fantastic!’.
As a reminder: this hosting programme aims to triple press correspondents from Eastern Europe in Brussels . By providing free lodging and integration for their first 6 months here. Vera Jourova and Parliament First VP Sabine Verheyen already provided moral support at our Stars4media Day event on Sept 23 . This is now complemented by the official patronage of the Parliament for the Maison inauguration (dinner with residents, VIPs and donors on 12 January, then conference on 13 January). The selection of correspondents will soon be finalized, together with EFJ and API.
You are concerned about democracy and the media? Here’s how you can make a difference:
- Help Ukraine: in words, and ideally in deeds…For example, support Promote Ukraine
- Become subscriber to several, different media. For example, I was already subscribing to several media from Ukraine and (exile) Russia. Like I did in 2016, I’ll now add 3 more, in the West: NYT, Guardian, Euractiv. Policy or general news, etc: have your pick!
- Ask us for information about Maison du MédiaLab (including volunteering as coach or becoming a donor / co-founder): comment below, or dm me, or email: stars4media@EuropeMediaLab.eu
Together, let’s steer the pendulum back, towards reason!