The delegation included English-speaking media professionals from Cabo Verde, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, representing a range of outlets in print, radio, and television. The journalists came together at the European Newsroom’s offices at the Belga News Agency to explore the inner workings of the EU’s media landscape.
Key questions shaped the visit: How does the European Newsroom collaborate with 23 news agencies from EU member states and candidate countries? How does it tackle disinformation in Europe? And what innovative formats drive its daily journalism? These topics sparked a lively and insightful exchange between the visiting journalists and European Newsroom representatives Ivonne Marschall and Tim Kohnen.
The European Newsroom team provided valuable insights into the organisation’s mission of fostering collaboration among Europe’s news agencies. Ivonne and Tim explained how the newsroom produces weekly Key Stories and high-quality video content, how it coordinates joint interviews and organises workshops to help strengthen the quality and diversity of journalism across the continent.
Furthermore, the discussions focused on the highly topical issue of disinformation and the role of artificial intelligence. Participants emphasised the importance of tackling disinformation through fact-checking, media literacy, and cross-border collaboration, highlighting the significance of strengthening journalism in the fight against misinformation.
The European External Action Service (EEAS) is the diplomatic service of the European Union, responsible for coordinating the EU’s foreign and security policy. The visit in the European Newsroom, part of the EEAS’s border initiative to offer journalists firsthand insight into the workings of the EU, underscored the importance of open dialogue in tackling shared challenges, including the spread of disinformation.
By connecting African journalists with EU institutions, the EEAS aims to deepen understanding and foster stronger international relations—empowering media professionals to contribute to informed, global conversations.