This document discusses the relationship between youth, new media, and civic participation. It notes that while tools like social media have increased communication, they have also lowered journalistic standards and spread misinformation. However, new technologies also provide opportunities to engage citizens and spread information to underserved areas. The document calls for balancing open internet access with privacy and security, and ensuring media and civil society adapt to remain influential.

1. Youth and New Media,a productive partnership? Maria Laura Franciosi Journalist J@YS President

2. RésidencePalace Association des Journalistes Professionnels Vlaamse Vereniging van Beroepsjournalisten International Press Association European Journalism Centre National Union of Journalists International Federation of Journalists

3. J@YS engagement with the media Practical Information for journalists in Brussels and Belgium Regular briefings, debates and events of interest to the media Facilitating access to the major national and international political institutions Advice on legal, financial, professional and union issues Publication of Reporting Brussels a contact guide to European institutions and other bodies

4. Briefings for newcomers Free of charge Twice a year Topics include: -EU information sources - Authors’ rights - Protection of sources - Status of freelance journalists - Belgian taxation/social security

5. Our website:www.brusselsreporter.eu Visit us: International Press Centre (IPC) Résidence Palace (Metro Schuman) 155 rue de la Loi, Bloc C 1040 Brussels Telephone: +32 (0)2 235 22 54 Fax: +32 (0)2 235 23 45 E-mail:info@brusselsreporter.eu

7. How does the media find and organise information?

8. The internet’s contribution to the media

9. The media’s contribution to the internet

11. Media in the world Media crisis is now global New forms of communication are being created: but can they be called media? What does media mean? Information, learning, or message and spin? Media and development: do they go hand in hand? (The case of Video Volunteers) Challenges for journalists: risks for the audacious. Last year, journalists including Russian ones killed for their work reached a new peak

12. Difficulties young people face in trying to change the (internet) world None or poorly paid jobs Difficulty in making their voices heard Censorship Risks to privacy False sense of power Exploited by corporations through advertising

13. What impact have tools such as Twitter, Odnoklassniki and Facebook had on communication and social organisation? Such tools provide communication but not information Lowering standards and reliability Broadening participation: good or bad? Emphasis on speed: good or bad? Less analysis / more superficiality Advertising and business tainting journalism More bias / less objectivity Less original content / more “churnalism” MORE transparency / openness accountability or LESS

14. Strategies for using the internet to communicate with and mobilize young people Leave Internet open (standards, interfaces etc) Guarantee Net neutrality Encourage self-expression in an original way Reach across continents to other young people Learn how other people live BUT: guarantee security and privacy

15. Optimising internet use in areas with low access Use the most innovative technologies (tlc, satellites, wifi, portable smart phones, e.g., the case of South Korea) Develop social networks by creating valuable content Engage citizens through e.g., “Gov.2.0” in political life in a period when more and more people are disenchanted with politics Encourage politicians to listen to what people say The results will be a shift of Internet power from developed to developing regions of the world

16. The evolution of internet technologies and trends in internet access Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the Internet wrote that, "If we don't have the ability to understand the web as it's now emerging, we will end up with things that are very bad …... Certain undemocratic habits could emerge and misinformation will start spreading over the web …... Studying these forces and the way they're affected by the underlying technology is one of the things that we think are really important“ Healso insisted that: “disciplines are going to have to converge” “there is a great need for people that really understand the medium from both the technological and social side”. “web science isn't sufficiently widespread in the universities”

17. How will new internet technologies and increased internet access impact parties, NGOs, media and civil society as a whole? Internet is changing the face of political communication Civil society is becoming more active and ready to use new communicating tools to exchange ideas Media must keep abreast of internet developments in order to be pro-active and not subordinate to trends

18. Potential limitations to effective internet use? Propagandistic use by terrorists Disinformation that generates dangerous reactions (the Uygurs case) Cyberattacks Monopolistic media domination Linguistic domination Low media standards

19. Potential negative consequences of increased communications through internet technology Changing the face of journalism Professional standards lost and replaced by unconfirmed rumours, gossip and chit-chat No more reasoned analysis An undermining of investigative journalism Citizens journalism, a dangerous slope Citizens-led journalism, a possible solution

20. Citizens Consultations The future is in the hands of citizens, not politicians how can citizens have an impact on the political scene? Is the ballot box the only answer? Will electronic voting, new communication technologies and web-based campaigning increase the risk of rigging? Let’s discuss this !!