The European Network of Agricultural Journalists (ENAJ) will host its second symposium on 26 March 2026 at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels, with the option to participate online.
The afternoon will examine how agricultural journalism functions inside the Brussels policy environment and how information moves between EU institutions, journalists and stakeholders.
Following a warm welcome from Christophe Rouillon, Member of the European Committee of the Regions, the programme opens with a keynote from Julie Majerczak, Representative to the European Institutions for Reporters Without Borders. Majerczak will address how developments such as the European Media Freedom Act, whistleblower protections and anti-SLAPP measures are reshaping the working environment for journalists reporting from Brussels.
Following that, Katharina Seuser of the University of Bonn will present research findings on how agricultural journalists report on innovation and technology, offering insight into framing, professional practice and challenges in covering complex topics.
Two panel discussions will follow.
Panel 1: Reporting on agriculture inside the Brussels bubble will bring together freelance journalist Natasha Foote and Alice Bergoënd of Euractiv to discuss the day-to-day realities of sourcing information, navigating institutional processes and balancing speed, accuracy and responsibility under deadline pressure.
Panel 2: Leaks, misinformation and trust in agricultural communication will feature Benoit Cassart, MEP and member of the Intergroup on Sustainable Livestock, Jean-Baptiste Boucher of Copa-Cogeca, Diego Canga Fano of DG AGRI, and a Brussels-based media editor (TBC). The discussion will explore communication strategies in a polarised environment, the impact of leaks and unofficial disclosures, and how institutions, interest groups and media organisations share responsibility when misleading or incomplete narratives gain traction.
The symposium will conclude with a presentation by Claire Mc Cormack of University College Dublin, who will share key findings from her PhD research on long-term trends in agricultural media coverage and their implications for public understanding and journalistic standards.
Attendance is open to agricultural journalists from ENAJ’s national guilds, Brussels-based journalists covering EU policy, as well as policymakers, researchers and stakeholders with an interest in agricultural communication.
Pre-registration is required: https://forms.gle/GDkjLwECatS5hxnT7
