Background

For decades, print media have relied on advertisers to cover the news, send correspondents abroad, and do investigations, keeping those in power accountable. However, the old business model is broken. Print advertising dollars are being replaced by digital advertising cents, which has led to decline in newspaper circulation and advertising profits. There is an increased demand to “do more with less” be it manpower, resources, or time.

Moreover, technology has changed the way we produce and consume news. Now, anyone with a smartphone in hand and good internet connection could be a reporter. But the need of good, public interest journalism has never been greater.

What is the goal of the conference?

We, at the Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria, believe that the speakers would shine a light on how to better navigate the fast-changing media landscape and create as well as encourage innovation. We hope that those success stories could encourage independent journalism in Bulgaria, offering an exciting new way to inform the public about important political, social and human rights issues in the region.

What to expect?

The one-day event will try to tackle some of the following tough questions:

In the era of fast and fake news, could good journalism be sustainable? What is the new news ecosystem? What’s the role of the public and the audience?

Why is it important?

Recent political events like the 2016 Britain’s referendum to leave the European Union and Donald Trump’s election in the United States have proved the crucial role of quality journalism – not just to report the facts but to put things into context and explain the meaning of complex problems.

It’s difficult to see what will replace the old business model but there are some media innovators and entrepreneurs who are taking advantage of all the recent tech advances, trying to imagine what the new media would look like. Instead of complaining about the darkness around, they have chosen to seek the light at the end of the tunnel.