Day 2

GIJN Launches Journalism Security Assessment Tool in Arabic (JSAT)

ARIJ opened its second day launching a Journalism Security Assessment Tool (JSAT); a first-of-its-kind safety evaluation guide for watchdog journalism groups in Arabic. The tool was introduced by the Lead Technologist George Khoury, with the moderation by GIJN’s Arabic Editor Majdoleen Hasan.  

The Future of Media: Innovation & Artificial Intelligence

Pulitzer Center’s Senior Editor & AI Network Manager Boyong Lim, and Journalist Rabeea Eid who participated in ARIJ’s 2022 FNF incubator for investigations brought attention to the importance of investigative journalism role in highlighting the lack of accountability and control in using AI, solving major problems in communities by Governments and large companies, and the potential results of using algorithms in the discrimination and harassment of marginalised groups in society, which can also result in widening social and economic gaps. The session was moderated by ARIJ’s English Senior Editor, Mohamed Chebaro.

When a Vest and a Helmet are not Enough

To preserve freedom of expression, the main pillar of democracy, journalists have to protect themselves to accomplish their mission. However, in reality, journalists are subject to many threats; including the threat of getting killed. This session discussed topics related to accountability and means of protection and safety by  Free Press Unlimited’s Policy & Advocacy Director Evelien Wijkstra, UNESCO’s Coordinator of the Multi Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression & Safety of Journalists Maaly Hazzaz, IFJ’s Director of Policy and Programmes Monir Zaarour. The session was moderated by the Journalist, Novelist & Physical Safety and Storytelling Trainer, Abdualla Maksour. 

Environmental Investigations Across borders

Cross-border environmental investigations are a trend that resulted in more complex and large-scale cross-border investigations from starvation to following the money, and from politics coverages to social perspectives. This session shed light on the best practices for 2023 by Journalism Fund’s  Managing Director Ides Debruyne, GRC’s Partner Catriona Murdoch, Investigative Journalist and Trainer Alya Abu Shahba, and moderated by ARIJ’s Editor-in-Chief Munir Al Khatib. 

How Does Instagram Work?

Instagram MENA’s Head of Public Policy Nadia Diab-Caceres revealed how Instagram’s content ranking works, and the framework informing recommendation guidelines on the app, and by doing so, demystifies misconceptions about the so-called “Shadow-banning”.  The session was moderated by ARIJ’s Digital Manager Khalid Waleed. 

Making Digital Sustainability a Reality Within Arab Newsrooms: WAN IFRA Women in News (WIN) 

WIN has brought global learnings on how to make newsrooms financially sustainable in the digital era to the region by customising its Digital ABC training module to Arab newsrooms. In this session the session discussed the ABC program from both WIN and the user perspectives and took forward the conversation on what needs to be done to support independent news sustainability within the realities of the Arab World media ecosystem. 

The session featured WIN’s Director Arab Region Dalal Saoud, Digital ABC Trainer Ehab Elzelaky, Annahar newspaper’s Managing Editor Ghassan Hajjar. The session was moderated by Welad ElBalad Media’s Founder and Director Fatemah Farag. 

Palestine: Countering Dominant Narratives

The session “Palestine: Countering Dominant Narratives” hosted MENA Policy and Advocacy Manager at Access Now Marwa Fatafta,  Anton Abu Akleh, and Digital Rights Defender - Head of 7amleh - Nadim Nashif, and was moderated by Dr. Jad Melki, Associate Professor of Journalism at LAU. The discussion revolved around the question “Where does the dominant discourse on the Palestine question stand today, and what does it communicate?”

The Long Term Effects of the Arab Spring on Arab Journalism

As a main lesson learnt following the 10 Years of the ‘Arab Spring’, The February Network, established in 2019, brought together different emerging media organisations from Syria, Lebanon, and Egypt to organise and establish a year‐long training program for aspiring journalists under the name Alternative Academy for Arab Journalism. The session moderated by Counter Academy for Arab Journalism’s Director Hala Droubi, featured Megaphone’s Managing Director Jean Kassir, Sowt’s Executive Director Ramsey Tesdell, Mada Masr’s Co-founder, and Chief Editor Lina Attalah to dive more into the Academy’s training programme. 

AFCN Regional Meeting

As part of AFCN within ARIJ22 the fourth AFCN regional meeting - first in-person took place during Day II of the Forum, where the AFCN community of fact-checkers and fact-checking organisations met to discuss  their work, the challenges faced, and the way forward with the support of AFCN.

Q & A with Aref Hijjawi

This online session featured Journalist, Writer and Media Consultant Aref Hijjawi to discuss questions on harnessing the power of language. The session was moderated by ARIJ’s Investigative Journalist, Editor and Coach Firas Taweel. 

ARIJeans Got Talent

ARIJ ended the second day of the Forum with a light-fun session presented by ARIJ’s Communication Manager Samya Ayish. Whether the attendees played an instrument, had a beautiful voice, or recited Arabic poetry, the session gave them the opportunity to shine and show their talents to ARIJ22 attendees.