In an era where misinformation spreads rapidly and the digital landscape grows increasingly polarized, the need for media literacy and quality journalism has never been more critical. Enter VOICES, the European Festival of Journalism and Media Literacy. In this blog post, we hear from Thomas Bergmann, the EBU’s Senior EU Policy Advisor, and Paul Harrison, Project Manager at the EBU’s Media Department, about why Europe needs a festival dedicated to celebrating journalism and media literacy.

“At a time when the role of quality journalism and independent media is under scrutiny—whether by politicians or powerful Big Tech oligarchs—the VOICES Festival offers a vital opportunity to step away from the screen and reconnect with the public on a personal level,” says Thomas Bergmann. “One of the key goals of this year’s festival is to highlight the indispensable value of independent public media for our democracies and societies. We’ll showcase inspiring talents and innovative formats from public media across the EU.”

Paul Harrison adds, “Public Service Media will have a strong presence at VOICES. Over a dozen EBU Members and many seasoned EBU colleagues have accepted our invitation to Zagreb and will actively contribute to the festival’s program.”

What to Expect at VOICES 2025

The festival promises a packed lineup of events designed to inform, inspire, and engage. Highlights of the festival include “Public service media for all — nurturing new perspectives and cultivating inclusivity.” This talk-show style session will feature professionals sharing their insights on how public service media (PSM) informs, entertains, and educates everyone. Panelists will explore how PSM reflects and serves today’s diverse communities, both on-screen and behind the scenes.

For those eager for something more hands-on, the EBU Academy will host a workshop titled “A beginners guide to using AI in media storytelling.” Participants will gain practical tips for leveraging AI tools in media production while grappling with the ethical considerations that come with this rapidly evolving technology.

But VOICES isn’t just about learning—it’s also about experiencing. The festival will feature a diverse cultural programme, including a play about the murder of Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, a stand-up comedy set on climate change by an award-winning comedian, and a pub quiz on journalism and media hosted by a drag queen.

About Voices

VOICES is a festival that brings together citizens, journalists, and media professionals to celebrate the vital role that journalism and media literacy play in fostering an informed public and sustaining healthy democracies. The second edition of the festival will take place in Zagreb from 28 February to 1 March 2025. Hundreds of participants and over 70 speakers will gather at the Museum of Contemporary Art to explore important topics such as journalist safety, artificial intelligence, the power of Big Tech, diversity and inclusion, and digital well-being.

Through interactive workshops, exhibitions, debates, and film screenings, VOICES offers attendees a unique opportunity to rethink their relationship with information and media—and to gain the skills needed to navigate today’s information landscape with confidence.

Join us

Registration for VOICES 2025 is now open. Sign up here to secure your spot and join us in Zagreb for a celebration of journalism, media literacy, and the power of informed voices in a noisy world.

VOICES is a project co-financed by the European Union. It is organised by the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom (lead partner based at the European University Institute), the European Federation of Journalists, the AISBL EBU-UER, the European Association for Viewers Interests, Journalisme et Citoyenneté, Lie Detectors and Savoir*Devenir. The Festival is an intinerant initiative, travelling from one EU country to another. Before Zagreb, the first Festival edition took place in Florence, Italy.