The International Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ), in collaboration with UNESCO, successfully completed a four-day training program from June 18 to June 21, 2024, at the facilities of the Hellenic Police Academy for Further Training and Education in Veria.

The International Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ), under the academic oversight of the Peace Journalism Lab (PJL) at the Department of Journalism and Mass Media Studies of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh), successfully held its annual Safety for Journalists training school from September 16 to 20, 2024. This training initiative was organized in collaboration with the Jean Monnet Chair on European Public Diplomacy, the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Centre, and a strong network of supporters, including DCN Global, the Journalists' Union of Macedonia and Thrace, the General Secretariat for Communication and Information, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Democracy, the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and Free Press Unlimited. Further support came from the Panhellenic Federation of Journalists’ Unions, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, ERT, and TV100, reinforcing the unified commitment to enhancing the safety and preparedness of journalists.

The first international conference, "Safeguarding Journalists: Mapping the Field – Ensuring Safety in the Field," was successfully held on September 21-22 at the Tellogleio Art Foundation of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTh). Organized by the International Center for the Safety of Journalists and Media Professionals (ICSJ) under the academic guidance of the Peace Journalism Lab (PJL), the conference brought together academics, journalists, and organizations from around the world to discuss and address the critical issue of journalists' safety. The event received the support of key partners, including the Secretariat General of Communication, the Region of Central Macedonia, the Municipality of Thessaloniki, POESY, Union of Journalists for Macedonia and Thrace, the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (AMNA), ERT, and the DETHPE.

The International Center for Safety of Journalists (ICSJ) contributed to the crucial conversation on journalist safety at the Council of Europe. Executive Director, Dr. Ilias Nikezis, presented at the "Journalists Matter" campaign, sharing insights on the ICSJ's impactful work to protect media professionals worldwide. The ICSJ is grateful to the Council of Europe and the organizers of "Journalists Matter" for providing this important platform to address the safety of journalists.

In Thessaloniki, students explore ‘relationship between migration, food, and belonging’

On Thursday, October 17, 2024, a lecture took place at the School of Journalism and Mass Media, featuring experienced journalists Alexia Kalaitzi and Stavros Ioannidis. The topic of discussion was the war in Lebanon, a subject of great complexity and importance in the realm of international affairs, which captivated the interest of students. The event attracted a mixed audience, including students from both the Greek-speaking and the English-speaking programs of the department, highlighting the growing need for aspiring journalists to understand the challenges faced by professionals reporting from conflict zones.

Το Εργαστήριο Ειρηνευτικής Δημοσιογραφίας (Peace Journalism Lab) του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης συμμετέχει στο Πανευρωπαϊκό πρόγραμμα «MELISE: Media Literacy for Senior Citizens in Europe» με σκοπό τη δημιουργία από κοινού με οργανισμούς και πανεπιστήμια του εξωτερικού μαθημάτων γραμματισμού στα ΜΜΕ για πολίτες τρίτης ηλικίας στην Ευρώπη.

Today, July 3rd, marks the commencement of the 2024 Global Media and Culture Conference in Thessaloniki, Greece. This year’s conference will focus on navigating modern media currents amidst the ever-evolving globalization of today’s world. The two-day event will include lectures and panel discussions by credible professionals and scholars in several fields such as journalism, technology, politics, global culture, media, and diplomacy. The first day began at 9:30 am EEST with opening remarks, and it will conclude with a reception at 9:00 pm EEST at the Capsis Hotel Rooftop Pool and Bar.

The Peace Journalism Lab Department of Journalism and Mass Media of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki is pleased to welcome on Wednesday, May 15, the lecturer and researcher of the Department of Communication and Media Studies at the National University of Singapore, Dr. Shangyuan Wu.

Conference theme: The currents of global media and culture
Date: July 3-4, 2024, 1:00-6:00PM
Venue: Thessaloniki, Greece
Co-organizers: THISAM (Peace Journalism Lab, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece), Institute for Convergence Culture (Hallym University, Korea), Knowledge Coop for Good Governance (Seoul, Korea) and Global Media and China (Sage)

Step into the future of media and communication in this immersive summer school. Explore the challenges and discover the cutting-edge tools shaping tomorrow's landscape of information dissemination. Through engaging discussions, workshops, and hands-on sessions, gain invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by these disruptions. Equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to thrive amidst this transformative era of communication.

The recent conflict in Gaza has proven once again that social media are a real battleground. In this battleground, conflicts are fought hand in hand with the physical ones. All combatants want to prevail in the virtual domain as this will give them superiority in the struggle to achieve cognitive effects.