The Spanish Society of Journalism (SEP) has held its XXIX International Congress at the Blanquerna-URL Faculty of Communication and International Relations under the title "Journalists in redefinition: Key functions and new professional profiles". Throughout two days, journalists and researchers in communication have reflected on the new challenges of the profession.
The inaugural table was chaired by the Minister for the Presidency of the Generalitat of Catalonia, Hble. Mrs. Laura Vilagrà; the Magnificent Rector of Ramon Llull University, Dr. Joseph Rome; the commissioner for International Relations and promotion of the
Ciudad del Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, Mr. Pau Solanilla; the dean of the Faculty of Communication and International Relations Blanquerna-URL, Dr. Josep Lluís Micó; and the President of the SEP, Dr. Andreu Casero-Ripollés.
Casero-Ripollés thanked that "one of the most relevant universities in journalism in recent years, such as Ramon Llull, hosts a SEP congress." He also highlighted his happiness at the fact that the SEP returns 34 years later to Barcelona, the place where it was founded.
For his part, Dr. Micó celebrated the SEP's commitment “to the profession and excellence in its practice, which have made this congress the inescapable benchmark in Spain and Latin America. And even beyond."
The minister has assured, in turn, that "nobody will kill journalism." "Plural information and content are the basis of free peoples and mature democracies," she said.
In this 2023 congress, held on June 29 and 30, leading figures in journalism and its investigation have met. More than 100 communications have been presented and 140 accredited congressmen have participated. The president has congratulated himself on the return to face-to-face after a few years marked by the covid.
At the closing ceremony, the rector addressed the congressmen to express his confidence "in the work of the congress and that it stands out for its cunning and tenacity."
Within the framework of the XXIX International Congress of the Spanish Journalistic Society held in Blanquerna-URL, 3 of the directors of the most important newspapers in Catalonia have met to reflect on “the redefinition of the journalist”.
The event, which featured Esther Vera, director of Diari Ara; Jordi Juan, director of La Vanguardia; and Albert Sáez, director of El Periódico, was attended by the dean of the Col·legi de Periodistes Joan Maria Morros and was moderated by the journalist and coordinator of the degree in Journalism and Corporate Communication, Dr. Elena Yeste.
Esther Vera, director of Diari Ara, has been convinced that journalists "have an obligation to do classic journalism with new media." "Journalists have to adapt like any object of adaptation." Jordi Juan, director of La Vanguardia, has defended "lifelong journalism" and has defended the need to transmit to young journalists "the essence of journalism".
All the speakers have insisted on the need to give added value to the information in the face of changes in newsrooms. But also in maintaining the essence and believing in the value of journalists. “Technology solves problems, but if we don't know how to find what people see value in, newsrooms will get smaller,” said Saéz.
During the debate, there has been talk about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in journalism. The dean of the Col·legi de Periodistes, Joan Maria Morros, has said that among the members it is one of the main concerns. “We have to own the AI and minimize the damage it can do,” he said. “The journalism that a robot will never be able to do will be the experiential one, the one that goes out into the street, he explained in a pedagogical way. It is an added value that only people can give”, Vera has contributed. For his part, Sáez sees it as a good thing that companies "take out tools like Chat GPT but AI is not part of the core of journalism."
