Eurovision News Podcast

Join host Laurent Frat as he sits down with Judy Parnall from the BBC to chat C2PA, an open standard designed to verify the origins and history of digital media in the fight against misinformation. In this episode, Judy unpacks the complexities of C2PA, exploring how it’s shaping the future of media authenticity and content certification in journalism. They discuss its role in building trust and transparency, the ethical challenges it addresses, and the collaborative efforts needed for successful implementation. The episode also closes with a look at how broadcasters and tech companies must continue innovating and working together to safeguard content integrity.

Kalle Kovacs, Digital Editor at Swedish Radio, joins Laurent Frat to explore the integration of AI in journalism. As an advocate for AI’s creative potential and an expert in effective prompting, Kalle discusses the impact of AI when used creatively and effectively by journalists. This episode delves into the rapid evolution of AI, ethical considerations, and the importance of skepticism to ensure responsible use. Kalle emphasizes the significance of clear communication with LLMs, addresses data privacy concerns, and shares his approach to maintaining a human touch in AI-assisted journalism. The conversation concludes with a look at the promising future of collaboration among EBU members to enhance accessibility and efficiency.

Valeria Kovtun is an expert in countering disinformation and building cognitive resilience.  She is the founder of Filter, Ukraine’s first governmental media literacy institution. With host Laurent Frat, Valeria delves into the concept of cognitive resilience within the realm of media literacy, focusing on the misinformation and propaganda tactics employed by Russia.

Valeria shares insights on the importance of psychological resilience and personal agency in combating disinformation. The discussion highlights how long-term propaganda strategies, such as rewriting history and fostering distrust, have affected Ukrainian society. They also explore contemporary methods of spreading propaganda, including AI-generated content, and the challenges faced by the Ukrainian government and media in addressing these issues.

The European Broadcasting Union has recently published its 2024 News Report entitled “Trusted Journalism in the Age of Generative AI.” In this episode, Laurent Frat speaks with Prof. Alexandra Borchardt, PhD, the report’s lead author, and Ezra Eeman, Director of Strategy & Innovation at NPO. 

They discuss how generative AI is widely believed to be a game-changer for media accessibility and inclusiveness; however, it may also present a significant challenge to the media sector by diminishing the visibility of journalism. 

The conversation also touches on the growing reliance on the services of large tech conglomerates and the broader societal and environmental repercussions. 

Acknowledging the challenges that AI can also bring, their exchange concludes with some advice on the role that journalists and media organizations have to play.

News avoidance is a significant concern for the news industry and society as a whole. It can lead to declining interest and engagement with news programs and hinder the public from making informed political decisions. Joining us this week is Benjamin Toff, an assistant professor at the Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota and the co-author of the book, Avoiding the News: Reluctant Audiences for Journalism.  In this episode, Benjamin discusses the implications of news avoidance and the underlying causes of this trend, and proposes various strategies that organizations can implement to reach news avoiders.  

In this episode, we delve into the journey of Eric Nuzum, a distinguished figure in podcasting. Eric covers the art of crafting compelling content, engaging listeners, and standing out in the dynamic world of podcasts. Don’t miss our insightful conversation about the future of audio media, featuring Eric’s expert advice on meeting changing audience demands, diversifying programming, and driving innovation in public radio.

Eric Nuzum stands out as an influential podcast innovator, with his creations frequently topping charts and garnering hundreds of millions of downloads. As a key player in NPR’s podcasting venture since 2005, Eric’s inventive foresight and strategic insight have elevated the organization to a leading role in podcast distribution. He has been behind some of NPR’s most celebrated podcasts and continued his success at Amazon, leading the development of short-form content and podcasts at Audible. In 2018, Eric applied his vast knowledge to co-found Magnificent Noise, a podcast production and consulting company based in New York City. He is also the author of the acclaimed book “Make Noise: A Creator’s Guide to Podcasting and Great Audio Storytelling.”

https://audioinsurgent.substack.com/

Since last December’s change in government, Poland’s public broadcasting landscape has once again come under scrutiny. State actions aimed at restoring journalistic integrity and independence, which were undermined by the previous government, have become headline news themselves.

In this episode, we’re joined by Wojciech Cegielski, Head of News at Polish Radio. Together, we delve into the current state of Polish public broadcasting, explore the challenges it faces, and discuss the implications for journalism and democracy.

In today's episode, we delve into the challenges faced by journalists in managing their mental health amidst the demanding nature of the media industry. We're joined by John Crowley, co-director with Hannah Storm of Headlines Network, an organization that provides resources and training to support mental well-being in the media. It aims to foster conversations on mental health through its podcast series, sharing insights and stories that highlight the importance of this issue in journalism.

John Crowley is a journalist with over 25 years of experience in managing teams across various media positions. He has served as a digital editor for The Wall Street Journal in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, and has held managerial roles at The Daily Telegraph and Newsweek. 

In this episode, he talks about why he co-founded the Headlines Network with Hannah Storm after his own personal experience with burnout and the importance of their organization's work for newsrooms and with journalists across Europe and beyond.