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In times where disinformation and propaganda have flourished as a threat to European security and trustworthy information is needed more than ever, the excellence of journalism is a critical component of societal resilience and social inclusion.

The European Excellence Exchange in Journalism (E³J) aims to unleash the combined potential of European values and cross-border collaboration for better journalism and a healthier information space. It provides a single-entry point for all types of media organisations, networks and individuals to connect, based on mutual trust and common rules.

E³J is carried out by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in partnership with Free Press Unlimited (FPU), the Permanent Conference of the Mediterranean Audiovisual Operators (COPEAM), Community Media Forum Europe (CMFE) and the Community Media Institute for Continuing Education, Research and Consulting (COMMIT), and aims to become a network-based initiative that promotes ethical standards, offers training and capacity building opportunities and a forum for collaboration and peer-support.

Our unique consortium brings together a network of member organisations, partnerships and individuals across Europe. By joining forces and expertise, it combines a range of preceding initiatives to build on, such as the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) and the Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative (CIJI). With E³J's holistic and integrated concept, our project stimulates trustworthy information for European audiences interested in climate change, public health and migration.

This project is funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe Programme (CREA).

A single entry-point for all collaborative journalists in Europe

A new Europe-wide platform for journalism networks will be set up to provide a single-entry point for all types of media organisations, networks and individuals to connect, based on mutual trust and common rules. The aim will be to strengthen and multiply journalistic partnerships in Europe by providing current and emerging networks and hubs with a new platform to connect them with other like-minded initiatives. That's where E³J can bring more efficiency and sustainability to collaborative journalism, by guiding and connecting journalists, leaving more space for doing actual journalism.

Trainings and knowledge transfer

E³J honors the fact that journalism is first and foremost about stories, by cultivating excellence around the most some of the pressing challenges of our times: migration, climate and public health. Trainings and knowledge transfer opportunities will include:

1. Journalism training courses on migration

2. Climate change fellowships

3. Community media strengthening public health literacy

Building trust in journalism

E³J promises a systemic impact across the whole value chain of trustworthy information. This project is also geared toward facilitating the integration of existing offers of the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) and the Collaborative and Investigative Journalism Initiative (CIJI) within Europe.

As part of this process, the JTI web application, the jti:app and its forthcoming knowledge base, the JTI Campus, will be extended by a gateway for individual journalists.

Resources

When it comes to public health issues, there is a great need for more trustworthy information, social awareness and space for debate.

In their latest report, "The Public Health Literacy and Community Media in Europe", CMFE and COMMIT examine current challenges and information gaps for public health awareness across Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and Spain. Their analysis explores the different framework conditions for the work of community media, but also for communication culture and health awareness in general. It also identifies good practices for the promotion of public health awareness.

Read the Report

Call for Applications: production grants

FPU is pleased to invite independent journalists and news media in Europe to present their proposals for production grants for cross-border stories on climate change, migration and public health. Deadline to apply May 29, 2023

Apply Now

Announcements

E³J provides a range of opportunities and offers, including funding, capacity building and networking. It aims at equipping independent media outlets and individual journalists with resources, infrastructure and standards-based methods that enable them to practice high-quality, and ethical and accountable, collaborative and investigative journalism. Follow the latest news below.

To Announcements

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.