The conference “The Trust Gap: Pathways to Quality Journalism in Southeast Europe and Türkiye in the Digital Age” was held in Brussels on 2-3 December. Representing the Media Council for Self-Regulation, Executive Secretary Ranko Vujović attended the event.
The regional conference, organized by the Ethical Journalism Network (London) with the support of UNESCO, brought together media experts and media organizations from the Western Balkans, Türkiye, and the European Union, as well as representatives from EU institutions, digital platforms, and advertising organizations. The aim was to explore practical ways to restore public trust in the media in the digital era.
The discussions at the conference focused in particular on how the use of ethical audits and more transparent forms of self-regulation can strengthen professionalism among media outlets and build public trust. Such measures can also bring the added benefit of identifying ethical media that play a recognized role in society - media which, by virtue of that role, have earned public and institutional support in the future.
The gathering provided an opportunity to showcase best practices from both regional and EU media, as well as the perspectives of relevant stakeholders, including major technology companies, self-regulatory bodies, media associations, and key EU institutions. The conference concluded with the adoption of statements and recommendations concerning quality journalism and the integration of artificial intelligence in newsrooms in Southeast Europe and Türkiye.
