Information and the Media in the Face of War – European Dialogue

“In the Face of War – European Dialogue” is an event series that seeks to address the upheavals underway in Europe the since the start of the war unleashed by Russia in Ukraine. Experts and professionals from Europe and other parts of the world, drawn from academia, research, think tanks, the media and culture, are invited to share their views in formats that facilitate direct interaction with the general public.

The project has already taken place in many European cities, and now it’s Helsinki’s turn. The European Dialogue event in Finland will focus on the central issue of information during the long period of war, in a context of polarization of discourse, multiplication of channels, sometimes also mistrust of journalists, but also increasingly massive recourse to disinformation campaigns. In a landscape of such contrasts, what responsibility do the media and journalists have? What perception do the younger generations have about war, and how do they inform themselves about such a major event? More broadly, what level of awareness do Europeans have of the informational threats weighing on public debate and democratic balances, and what resources are being deployed to deal with them?

The event in Helsinki is organized on October 23, 2024, and it is composed of four different public discussions that take place at the University of Helsinki premises (Suomen Laki Hall / Porthania building; Think Corner). These discussions bring together researchers, professors and journalists for captivating and in-depth discussions on topics such as independence in the media, informational threats and the news coverage of wars. The event is organized entirely in English.

OCTOBER 23^RD, 2024 – TIMETABLE AND RESERVATIONS:

The detailed programme will soon be published for downloading on this website.

11AM – 12.30 PM: Opening
CAN WE MAKE OURSELVES IMMUNE TO DISINFORMATION?

The event will be opened by the Chancellor of the University of Helsinki, Kaarle Hämeri.

Suomen Laki Hall, / University of Helsinki (Yliopistonkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki)

Speakers:

Kaarle Hämeri, University of Helsinki Chancellor
Mikko Salo, founder of Faktabaari (Finland)
David Colon, professor of History at Sciences Po Paris (France)
Eeva Luhtakallio, professor of Sociology at the University of Helsinki (Finland)
Fabrice Puchault (Arte, France)
Heikki Aittokoski, journalist at Helsingin Sanomat (Finland)
Moderator: Annastiina Heikkilä, correspondent at Yle (Finland)

➡ TICKET RESERVATION

2PM – 3.15 PM:
INDEPENDENCE IN THE MEDIA

Think Corner / University of Helsinki (Yliopistonkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki)

Speakers:

Judit Fiebelkorn, journalist at Übert N-Ost (Germany)
Laurent Marchand, journalist at Ouest-France (France)
Robert Sundman, journalist at Suomen Kuvalehti (Finland)
Moderator: Hanna Wass, the vice-dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Helsinki (Finland)

➡ TICKET RESERVATION

3.15 PM – 4.30 PM: Round table
EUROPE’S SECURITY IN THE FACE OF INFORMATIONAL THREATS

Think Corner / University of Helsinki (Yliopistonkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki)

Speakers:

Jean-Michel Meunier, major general at the Bureau of Strategic Communication and Influence against Disinformation (France)
Maxime Lebrun, European Center of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats (France)
Minna Kaarikoski, political sciences researcher at the Finnish National Defense University
Minna Ålander, researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs
Roberta M. Răducu, assistant professor and communications expert at the College of Communication and Public Relations (Romania)
Moderator: Céline Marangé (France).

➡ TICKET RESERVATION

4.45 PM – 6 PM:
WRITING THE WAR

Think Corner / University of Helsinki (Yliopistonkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki)

Speakers:

Antti Kuronen, War reporter at Yle (Finland)
Oleksandra Aleksandrenko, news fixer (Ukraine)
Senad Pecanin, founder of the Dani Sarajevo Magazine (Bosnia)
Moderator: Jeanne Cavelier, reporters sans Frontières (France)
Shuruq Asad, journalist, representative of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate (Occupied Palestinian Territories)

➡ TICKET RESERVATION

The European Dialogue event in Helsinki is initiated by Institut français (Paris) and organized by the French Institute of Finland in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, the Embassy of France in Finland and Goethe-Institut Finnland. More information on European Dialogues on the Institut français’ website.

Organizers of the event: