The first edition of the Voices Festival on journalism and media literacy, created by the European University Institute , was held in Florence at Stazione Leopolda from 14 to 16 March . Many topics addressed, from freedom of expression to artificial intelligence, from the protection of journalists to how to dismantle fake news. A festival that also presents itself as an opportunity for an international laboratory for thinking about media pluralism, a highly topical topic not only in Italy. The global media landscape is changing, with the rise of new international players. The Western perspective continues to dominate the scene, amid the challenges of information manipulated by new independent media, while military operations and the rise of non-state actors influence the news with military propaganda. Our society is therefore faced with new challenges of understanding and orientation on the eve of the European elections. In this context, it is of great importance to recall the recent Regulation desired by the European Parliament on the Al Act, which is the first regulatory act in the world on the applications of artificial intelligence.
Much space was also dedicated to documentaries and workshops aimed at teachers on correct information. An example for all, the case of the polarized narrative on the topic of migrants which creates many tensions in Europe at multiple levels. In fact, behind stereotyped news events, the stories of individual people are often overlooked, dehumanizing the story and contributing to creating phenomena of radicalization and Islamophobia. Ensuring correct information and safeguarding the transparency of public discourse are objectives of primary importance to protect citizens' right to know. The format of the Festival proved to be very interesting, with numerous talks at the same time, plenary seminars, conversations in small groups to meet stories of journalists under attack and direct testimonies. A young and selected audience was able to appreciate the meetings, strictly in English, and perhaps this was the most critical aspect for involving a broader and more general audience. On the eve of the European vote there is in fact a need to talk more and clearly about how Europe works, to facilitate a truly international debate that is not limited to provincial and national issues. We therefore thank the organizers for having relaunched this debate and for giving space to good journalism practices, qualifying themselves once again as an institution of excellence in the training of the European ruling class.
Giusy Rossi sent to the Festival for @europolitiche.it
