The news: In January 2019 Arena for Journalism in Europe was founded as a ‘Stichting’ under Dutch law. It’s main activity will be to continue the EIJC & Dataharvest Conference, which has left the protective wings of Journalismfund.eu and is now organized by Arena.
The background: The EIJC & Dataharvest Conference is the European Conference for Data and Investigative Journalism. It has since its start in 2011 grown from 35 to 470 (2018) participants from all over Europe and from other continents. Read more.
The dates: This year’s conference will be May 16-19, as usual in Mechelen, just outside of Brussels, with Thursday the 16th for seminars and the hack day and Friday 17th through Sunday 19th for the conference itself
The organisation: The new organization “Arena for Journalism in Europe” organizes the conference as its most important task in 2019. The organization will also provide further opportunities for networking, information sharing and training. Formally, ARENA is created as a foundation in the Netherlands.
The mission: Networked journalism needs an infrastructure. Arena for Journalism in Europe is created to support collaborative and cross border journalism in Europe. We want to facilitate collaborative journalism in Europe, this can be cross-border collaborative journalism, collaboration with academics, civil society or indeed with the communities formerly known as ‘the audience’. The aim is to provide knowledge for an informed public debate and political life in Europe.
The founders: Our founding board members have strong profiles in investigative journalism, data journalism, entrepreneurship and freedom of expression. They are Nils Hanson, former editor-in-chief of the Swedish tv program “Mission Investigate”; Daniel Simons, freedom of expression lawyer from the Netherlands with an international career; and Elisabetta Tola, Italian data and science journalist and entrepreneur.
The team: Managing director is Brigitte Alfter, Danish-German journalist. Project coordinator is Trine Smistrup, Danish freelance journalist and trainer. Both are former organizers of the EIJC &Dataharvest Conference and have left Journalismfund.eu to create Arena.
The hitch: We are still fundraising for the new organization and are stretched for funds. Any help in the form of financial support or pro bono advice is greatly appreciated!
The temptation: Register for the conference now and get the Early Bird discount! Pay only €200 instead of the regular €250 (students €100 instead of €125)! Early Bird rates are available until March 1. Registration opens shortly!
Do you want to know more?
For more information about Arena
For more information on the EIJC & Dataharvest Conference and registration