By The Media Union of Montenegro hosted a two-day international workshop on October 1st and 2nd in Podgorica, as part of the UnionToUnion project, with which the Media Union of Montenegro (SMCG) has been a partner for many years.
The event, organized by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), focused on the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI) brings to journalism, as well as the position of young media workers in today’s dynamic media environment.
The first day of the workshop centered on the engagement of youth in media and the strengthening of unions in the Western Balkans region. Milos Panić and Ivana Vlaović, representatives of the IFJ Youth Media Worker group, shared their experiences on how to involve young workers in union activities and improve their working conditions.
photo: IFJ
The discussion also covered future union projects and support for young workers in the media sector, with a special focus on alternatives for sustainable development of union organizations in the region.
On the second day, the focus shifted to the impact of AI in the Western Balkans.
photo: IFJ
Opening the session, Jeremy Dear, an IFJ consultant, spoke about the transformation of jobs driven by the increasing implementation of artificial intelligence, as well as the key challenges journalists face in this new digital era.
Tim Dawson, Deputy General Secretary of IFJ, presented current legal regulations regarding AI, including declarations from the European Council and U.S. laws, emphasizing the importance of ethical AI use in media.
Participants had the opportunity, through lectures and group activities led by experts from the University of Cambridge, Tomasz Hollanek and Raphael Hernandes, to explore how AI affects responsible journalism. During this session, participants analyzed cases where AI is used for content production but were also introduced to tools that help preserve journalistic ethics and integrity in the age of digitalization.
The final part of the workshop was dedicated to media ethics and recommendations for a union approach to AI regulation.
It was concluded that it is crucial to develop strategies that balance technological advancement with the preservation of journalistic standards, particularly in the areas of privacy protection and copyright.
photo: IFJ
