The European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy

The European Association for Viewers Interest, along with its other six European organizations, has been awarded by the European Commission to organise the first two editions of the European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy, Voices.

The inaugural edition of the Festival will take place on March 14-15-16, 2024, at the iconic Leopolda Station in Florence. Voices will travel across different European cities every year, and EAVI, a partner of the Information Matters Project, will be responsible for coordinating all the media literacy activities.

The Festival marks a new departure from previous initiatives in the field, promising to bring fresh perspectives and insights to the forefront of media discourse. It also sets out to become a preeminent platform for dialogue and exchange, connecting journalistic and media literacy communities with European citizens.

From tackling media’s evolution in a rapidly shifting digital landscape to equipping citizens with the tools to navigate these changes, Voices will steer the conversation toward a more informed future. This will be achieved through curated sessions, interactive workshops, exhibitions, and networking opportunities.

Over two days, the Festival will explore the themes that shape our relationship with information and media today. These include media literacy and artificial intelligence, digital well-being, digital parenting, disinformation, elections’ integrity, and EU media policies, among others.

After Florence, this EU-funded initiative will embark on a journey across different European cities to spotlight media freedom and media literacy as essential elements for the functioning of our democratic societies. The second edition of the Festival will take place in Zagreb, Croatia, in February 2025.

The specifics of Voices:

1. A Wide Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration for Real Impact
The project embraces a bottom-up and multi-stakeholder approach, drawing upon the rich expertise and knowledge of the consortium of organisations with extensive international networks comprising journalists, public service media, media literacy experts and media researchers. This collaborative effort ensures that the Festival will address the most pressing issues that affect our media societies today.
Voices will be the first European platform for deliberation, offering valuable insights to professionals, decision-makers and citizens alike.

2. A Dual Focus on Evolving Journalism and Media Literacy
The Festival’s unique character is further defined by its dual focus. It delves into both the evolving role of journalism in producing news in a rapidly changing media landscape and the crucial dimension of equipping citizens with the skills to decipher information and be able to use technology and the media meaningfully.
By addressing these two interconnected themes, the Festival aims to contribute to empowering citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to critically engage with media content and understand the evolving dynamics of journalism.

3. An Itinerant Celebration of Diversity and Engagement
The Festival will be itinerant, moving across two European cities to promote cultural diversity and foster engagement. The inaugural edition is set to take place in Florence, Italy, in March 2024, followed by a second edition in Zagreb, Croatia, one year later. This dynamic approach will provide participants with the opportunity to explore different approaches, exchange good practices and nurture cross-cultural dialogues within Europe.
The Festival also aims to engage local communities in each host city. The spaces offered will, therefore, welcome both international experts and young, media-active communities, including students. By involving local residents, the Festival aims to create a sense of ownership and shared responsibility.

Relevant Links:
Voices website: https://voicesfestival.eu/
EAVI website: https://eavi.eu/
EAVI LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/eavimedialiteracy/

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Agreement number: 2022-1-BG01-KA220-ADU-000085514

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