Eurovision News Podcast

What's it like being a TV or radio journalist when war breaks out? In this quickfire episode of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson brings you a snapshot of the first few days of the US-Israeli War with Iran, from the perspective of three foreign correspondents who were in Israel when the conflict started. Veteran BBC foreign correspondent and presenter Clive Myrie explains how he presents the news from a hotel balcony as air raid sirens ring out; SBS News correspondent Ben Lewis talks about the challenges of working solo in a warzone; and ARD radio reporter Jan-Christoph Kitzler, who's based in Tel Aviv, also breaks down how the initial hours of the war played out in Israel.

Just how challenging is it to report on the war in Ukraine? In Episode 4 of Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson meets two journalists who have been travelling in and out of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24th February 2022. Alex Cadier and Eric Feijten describe how they stay safe, try to cover the story with empathy and how they have developed a personal connection with Ukraine. We also hear about the crucial role of "fixers" and the increasingly heavy burden on local journalists, who have been living with the conflict, day in, day out, for four years now.

What's it like backstage in Davos? In Episode 3 of Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson travels to the Swiss Alps for the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting. The conference brings together the most influential figures in global business and politics. For journalists, it's a chance to rub shoulders with people who shape the global economy. However, even the world leaders and top CEOs in attendance had no idea what to expect from U.S. President Donald Trump, whose speech dominated the conference. We also hear about the cat-and-mouse game of trying to "doorstep" VIPs and why Davos is just different to other international summits.

In Episode 2, Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson examines the relationship between AI companies and the news industry. He visits the BBC's headquarters in London to dig into cutting-edge research on the growing use of AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Perplexity for news related questions. Experts warn these assistants are "still not a reliable way to access and consume news." We find out how AI companies "scrape" news content from publishers online and learn about the "Facts In : Facts Out" campaign backed by the European Broadcasting Union and WAN-IFRA. EBU Spotlight report on Bondi Beach attack: Debunking Bondi attack misinformation: Edward Crabtree lie

What’s it like being a journalist covering the COP30 climate talks in Brazil? In Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, Eurovision News Field Producer Giles Gibson pulls back the curtain on how major news events are captured and broadcast to audiences worldwide. In Episode 1, we learn about how Giles got his start in journalism before travelling with him to Belem, Brazil. There we meet Anne Herrberg and George Lee, two correspondents covering the marathon UN climate negotiations.

The European Broadcasting Union's 2025 News Report -- Leading Newsrooms in the Age of Generative AI -- has just been published. In this episode, Laurent Frat speaks with Dr Alexandra Borchardt, the lead author, and Olle Zachrison, Director of AI at Swedish Radio. We dive into the insights and practical steps in the report -- from the tech advances, industry trends and public adoption of AI to the benefits and risks of integrating AI into newsgathering. Our conversation highlights the importance of quality journalism, human creativity and collaboration by public service media in navigating this new information age while protecting the integrity and reliability of the news.

In this episode, we delve into the latest report by the EBU Investigative Journalism Network's (IJN), "Playing with Fire," which uncovers the extent of Russian hybrid attacks in European countries. This cross-border project, carried out by EBU Members in ten countries, reveals among other things how low-level agents, often recruited via social media, are orchestrating cyberattacks, arson, vandalism, sabotage, and election interference campaigns. Join Belen Lopez Garrido, the IJN editorial manager, as she sits down with two of the collaborating journalists, Indre Makaraityté from Lithuanian Broadcaster LRT and Luc Van Bakel from VRT in Belgium. Together, they share first-hand experiences and insights into the reporting of the story and the challenges of attributing these covert operations to the Russian state. This episode offers an in-depth look at the investigation that presents how these attacks aim to destabilize European societies and undermine support for Ukraine. - Read the full investigation here: https://investigations.news-exchange.ebu.ch/playing-with-fire-are-russias-hybrid-attacks-the-new-european-war/

In this episode, Cilla Benko, Director General of Swedish Radio and Vice President of the EBU, joins Laurent Frat on the sidelines of Radio Days Europe 2025 in Athens. Cilla talks about innovative AI projects aimed at enhancing user experience and about the future of radio in cars. She delves into the continued resilience and role of radio in the evolving media landscape, and the importance of trustworthy news content. This is an in-depth interview with one of the industry's leading figures on the role of public service radio in today's media ecosystem.

Laurence Brecx, Eric Feijten, and Charlie McGrath join Laurent Frat to discuss Hostile Environment Safety Training (HEST). They share valuable insights and stories about the importance of preparation, the role of digital security, the advantages of networking within the course, and the unique challenges faced by journalists in high-risk environments. The conversation highlights practical tips, and the need for proper training.

Jan-Christoph Kitzler, a correspondent with ARD in Tel Aviv, covers conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, and nearby regions. In this interview, he shares the challenges of reporting in war zones, including a harrowing experience of being held at gunpoint and detained by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Jan discusses the balance required when reporting sensitive issues, the limitations imposed by Israel's media blackout in Gaza, and measures to mitigate risks and support the physical and mental health of journalists in conflict areas. He emphasizes the need for transparency in journalism, strategies to regain public trust, and the role of innovative formats like podcasts in engaging audiences.

In this special episode of the Eurovision News Podcast, in collaboration with the Public Media Alliance, Harry Lock hosts an in-depth interview with Kevin Backhurst, the new Director General of Irish broadcaster RTÉ. They discuss the revival and future of the broadcaster, exploring significant challenges and transformative decisions to restore trust in the network following a series of financial scandals. They also touch on the desire to inspire RTÉ to become one of the top broadcasters in Europe, and innovative five-year strategies and digital investments to reach the goal. Find out more about PMA's podcast, Media Uncovered here: https://www.publicmediaalliance.org/media-uncovered-podcast/

In this episode, Laurent Frat sits down with Laura Ellis, Head of Technology and Forecasting at the BBC. They cover a wide variety of topics including the impact of machine learning on journalism, content recommendations, the ethics involved, and projects like C2PA that aim to verify media provenance. Laura shares insights on how the BBC adapts to changing audience habits, tackles misinformation, and the importance of information literacy. The conversation also touches on the evolving role of AI in content creation and how public service media can navigate the rapidly changing landscape.

Join host Laurent Frat as he speaks with Klaus Schneider and Alexiane Lerouge about A European Perspective, a collaborative project that uses AI to translate and share news with millions of people across Europe. They discuss the growing demand for local stories that resonate with pan-European audiences and discuss the editorial processes behind the platform. Highlights include surprising stories like Lithuania's new role as a watermelon producer due to climate change, Germany's cash-based culture, and the increase in euthanasia requests in Belgium. The conversation also explores their vision for enhancing cross-cultural news exchange, tackling fake news, and supporting greater community awareness across Europe.

Kaori Iida and her team at NHK have been at the forefront of tackling the growing spread of digital misinformation in Japan. In this episode, Emilio San Pedro speaks with Kaori, about the unique concept of 'Impression Zombies,' a new phenomenon emerging in Japan's media landscape. Their discussion covers how these zombies amplify disinformation and their wide-ranging impacts which have even included delaying disaster response efforts. Emilio and Kaori also discuss NHK's pre-bunking strategies, their social listening team, and the vital role of human oversight in combating digital misinformation.

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. Valeria Kovtun on LinkedIn

In this episode, Laurent Frat sits down with Dr. Steven MacGregor, a leading expert in workplace health and wellbeing. They delve into the critical importance of integrating wellbeing into the workplace, especially for journalists and news professionals who face unique challenges. Dr. MacGregor clarifies the essential distinctions between wellbeing and wellness, advocating for daily consistency instead of sporadic efforts. He shares practical strategies for managing stress and enhancing rest in high-pressure environments. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable advice to improve your workplace wellbeing. You can connect with Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spmacg/ , visit his website stevenmacgregor.com , and his book The Daily Reset: 365 Days of Wellbeing is available worldwide on Amazon.

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. - Read the report here: https://www.ebu.ch/guides/open/report/news-report-2024-trusted-journalism-in-the-age-of-generative-aiNews Report 2024: Trusted Journalism in the Age of AI - Watch Alexandra and Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, provide insights and share findings from the Reuters and EBU news reports in this webinar. https://www.ebu.ch/events/2024/06/webinar--trusted-journalism-in-the-age-of-genailink

In this episode, Laurent Frat speaks with Amanda Ripley, journalist, best-selling author, and co-founder of Good Conflict, a media training company that helps people reimagine conflict. The conversation delves into how journalists can de-escalate conflict, what they can learn from conflict mediators and the dangers of binary thinking. Amanda covers how to work with what she calls conflict entrepreneurs, the power of looping, and the role journalists can play in combating societal polarization. Chapters 01:00 Investigating Conflict: A Journalist's Journey 06:44 Navigating High Conflict and Healthy Conflict 12:09 Introducing Nuance in Reporting 17:05 Engaging with Conflict Entrepreneurs 28:21 Understanding Conflict and the Role of Journalists 40:19 Building Trust and Understanding Through Looping and Humility 43:39 Convening and Building Relationships: The Journalist's Role in Community 49:24 Experimenting with New Ways of Covering Conflict Tools mentioned: thegoodconflict.com/tools Her book: High Conflict -- Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out AmandaRipley.com