Pulitzer Center Update October 9, 2024
Pulitzer Center at the iMEdD International Journalism Forum 2024
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The Pulitzer Center participated in the Incubator for Media Education and Development (iMEdD) International Journalism Forum 2024, held from September 26-28 in Athens, Greece. This year’s event brought together over 1,000 attendees, 128 speakers from 30 countries, and 62 sessions dedicated to shaping the future of journalism. Experts from around the world gathered to discuss key topics such as press freedom, AI, data journalism, corruption, and media sustainability.
Two particularly impactful sessions highlighted the Pulitzer Center’s commitment to investigative journalism and community engagement:
AI and investigative journalism: Opportunities and challenges
This session explored how AI is transforming investigative journalism—both as a tool for investigations and as a subject to be investigated. As AI-powered tools and resources emerge, journalists are increasingly integrating these technologies into their work to hold powerful actors accountable. Concrete examples were shared, showing how AI is used to support watchdog journalism, while investigative journalists are also tasked with holding AI itself accountable.
Panelists from the session discussed lessons learned from using AI in investigations, reflecting on both successful and failed projects. They also shared insights into editorial processes and the ethical questions that arise when working with AI in investigative journalism. As Marina Walker Executive Editor from the Pulitzer Center shared in this session: there is an immense responsibility from journalists worldwide not only to use AI but also to investigate AI and to hold AI powers accountable.
How to Build Communities Around Your Investigations
This session focused on building trust and engagement with communities who are often marginalized or underserved by traditional media coverage. Journalists shared strategies for conducting needs assessments and packaging stories in formats that are accessible to their audiences, such as translating content, conducting engagement polls, or organizing multi-approach actions like contest letters and digital campaigns.
This session underscored the spirit of service-oriented journalism—where the goal is not only to expose issues but also to serve the communities that are affected by them. The Pulitzer Center's approach aligns with this mission, as we continue to promote a model of journalism that builds trust and delivers vital information to communities as Jonatan Rodríguez, Outreach Program Manager, shared in his presentation.
Showcasing the Pulitzer Center model
The Pulitzer Center’s participation in the iMEdD International Journalism Forum further emphasized our commitment to advancing investigative journalism and community-focused reporting. By highlighting our work and fostering conversations around AI, quality of investigations, and engagement strategies we continue to demonstrate the importance of a journalism model rooted in accountability, collaboration, and transparency.
The forum concluded after three days of rich discussions and workshops, with a shared commitment to shaping the future of journalism. For us at the Pulitzer Center, it was an inspiring platform to connect with like-minded professionals and reflect on how our work can continue to contribute to impactful and ethical journalism.
