2024 Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners

The aim is to enrich the experience for all participants and advance their understanding of critical phenomena and processes affecting journalism and informed citizenship more broadly. The programme is structured around keynote presentations by distinguished experts, followed by interactive sessions.

The contemporary information environment has been shaped by the proliferation and impact of digital platforms. Some of the consequences of this transformation are reflected in the weakening of the professional and economic standing of media and journalism, and in the exacerbation of disinformation. Now, journalism and informed citizenship confront yet another significant transformation driven by technology. In recent years, there has been a notable advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) and its widespread application across various sectors, including within the news and information industry. Among the most significant breakthroughs is the ease of use and wide accessibility of generative artificial intelligence, which has enabled almost anyone to rapidly generate content.

In the 12th edition of the CMPF Summer School for Journalists and Media Practitioners, they will delve into the implications of AI technology for journalism and the broader information landscape. How will it reshape the practice of journalism? What opportunities and challenges does it present for the profession? What are the ethical, philosophical, and societal implications, and how to safeguard humans in the loop?

Furthermore, they will explore the economics of journalism and the media in relation to AI. Notably, technology companies utilize news publishers’ content to train their large language models (LLMs) without providing adequate compensation, if any. How can AI be leveraged to enhance business opportunities and business processes for the media?

The diversity of sources and content online raises questions about the open nature of the Internet. Information integrity and countering foreign information manipulation and interference has become an important policy objective at the international level, including at the UN or G7/G20. With the open and free nature of the internet at stake, what are the key elements and implications for journalists to effectively perform their roles in the digital age?

The operations of tech companies are global, presenting challenges that transcend borders. However, there is also a strong regional dimension, evident in vulnerabilities, resilience, and policy responses. The European Union has been at the forefront of regulating digital technologies and addressing challenges to protect fundamental rights. Therefore, one day of the School will be dedicated to analysing key EU regulations such as the AI Act, the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, and other relevant policy instruments.

Key Topics

• AI and journalism: practices within and beyond journalism
• Humans in the loop and safety of journalists
• AI and media business: copyright, innovation, transformation, monetisation
• EU Regulatory framework and global standards: focus on Artificial Intelligence Act, Digital Services Act, Digital Markets Act, Code of Practice on Disinformation, European Media Freedom Act
• ​​Key international developments in Internet governance and their potential impact on the future of journalism and the media sector
• Ethics of AI and ethics of AI use in journalism

Scholarships Categories

• They offer up to 37 scholarships within the following categories and conditions:
  • CMPF Summer School Programme scholarships – 20 scholarships: available to applicants from countries participating in the Creative Europe programme, namely the EU27, candidate countries and potential candidates (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine), European Neighbourhood Policy countries (Armenia, Tunisia), EFTA countries which are part of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Norway, Lichtenstein). The scholarship covers travel expenses up to an established ceiling, accommodation for 5 nights, tuition fees, all course materials, access to the EUI library, Wi-Fi access at the EUI, social activities, lunches, and coffee breaks on lecture days.
  • Widening Countries Programme scholarships – up to 7 scholarships: available to applicants from the Widening Countries. The scholarship will contribute 500 euros to cover travel expenses and accommodation for 5 nights. In addition, tuition fees, all course materials, access to the EUI library, Wi-Fi access at the EUI, social activities, lunches, and coffee breaks on lecture days, one cocktail, one dinner, will be offered by the Programme.
  • Global scholarships – up to 10 scholarships: available to applicants from Africa, Asia-Pacific and Latin America, provided by the European Union in the framework of the Global Initiative on the Future of the Internet. The scholarship is intended for travel expenses (economy class fare), visas, accommodation for 6 nights, tuition fees, all course materials, access to the EUI library, Wi-Fi access at the EUI, social activities, lunches and coffee breaks on lecture days.

Learning Outcomes

• Shared knowledge of global and European trends affecting journalism, informed citizenship, and democracy;
• Up-to-date overview of the technology and practice trends, legislative changes and legal principles governing content online;
• Strategies for the development of new business models in journalism;
• Newest trends in the journalistic practice, analysis of the state of play of pluralism and freedom in the digital media environment;
• Interactive session proceedings;
• Facilitating networking among participants and among participants and speakers.
• A Certificate will be awarded to participants who successfully complete the training course.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Summer School is open to early and mid-career journalists and other stakeholders in the news industry. The aim is to gather participants from a variety of countries and backgrounds. The CMPF will select participants based on the information provided in the application form, assess the quality of applications, and take into account diversity criteria. The working language of the Summer School is English.

For more information, visit CMPF.