Defending press freedom in times of war and crisis

"At a time when we see propaganda and disinformation being used as a weapon, when generative AI makes it difficult to determine what is true and false, and when freedom of expression is being challenged around the world, we need journalists who can and dare to be on the ground and report, including from conflict zones."

Cilla Benkö, CEO and Director General of Swedish Radio/Sveriges Radio

“Our chief editor for news woke me up at 5 am and said the war had started… I arrived at the office within 20 minutes. At 6:30 am we started the broadcast. At the same time we were establishing contact with regional branches to make sense of the situation. As cities were being bombed, people were in huge shock…”

Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of Managing Board, Suspilne/Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine

The Swedish Embassy in Berlin would like to welcome you to a discussion on threats to press freedom, disinformation, radio resilience and the increasing risks for journalists

Program:

18:00 Registration and networking

18:30 Welcome by Veronika Wand-Danielsson, Ambassador of Sweden to Germany

Keynote by Cilla Benkö, Director General, Sveriges Radio
Remarks by Anja Osterhaus, Executive Director (Policy and Strategy), Reporters Without Borders Germany (RSF)

Panel discussion with:

• Cilla Benkö, Director General, Sveriges Radio
• Mykola Chernotytskyi, Head of Managing Board, Suspilne (Public Broadcasting Company of Ukraine)
• Oskars Kastens, Planning Producer, Radio Free Europe

Moderation: Katarina Szécsi Åsbrink, Press Counsellor, Embassy of Sweden Berlin

20:00 Networking reception with Ukrainian food

In cooperation with: Embassy of Ukraine Berlin; Reporters Without Borders Germany (RSF)

Host or Publisher Schwedische Botschaft Berlin