The third edition of the Mediterranean Agora of Journalism took place from 28 to 30 April in Marseille (France). The city welcomed journalists from all over Africa, Europe and the Middle East, united by a central question: “What kind of journalism for Africa and the Mediterranean tomorrow?”

The opening evening paid tribute to Syria, caught between the pain of the present and the hope of a better future. French-Syrian writer Omar Youssef Souleimane gave a powerful and moving testimony, while the journalists who risk their lives to report from the conflict zones were honoured.

HRH Princess Rym Al-Ali of Jordan highlighted the crucial role of media literacy and stated : “Media Literacy is sometimes seen as a luxury. On the contrary, it is a democratic imperative“. The Mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan, reaffirmed the city’s commitment to being a safe haven for those who defend knowledge. The Lebanese media outlet “L’Orient-Le Jour was honoured with a medal by the city of Marseille and praised by the Lebanese Minister of Information as a symbol of independent journalism.

Freedom of expression, a joint commitment

During the official opening, Francisco Gaztelu Mezquiriz, Director of DG MENA of the European Commission, addressed the audience via video message: “This is a great opportunity to discuss such an important topic as freedom of expression and independent journalism in the Mediterranean. […] Freedom of expression is a core principle that we want to defend and promote together.”

Media Connect in action

Thanks to the EU Neighbours South programme, 9 Media Connectors – journalism students and young journalists from Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia – participated in the Forum. Their active engagement was widely recognised and reflected their strong commitment to independent quality journalism.

For three days, they produced a wide range of original content – videos, interviews, social media posts – each working on a specific topic. This collective effort perfectly embodied the spirit of the Media Connect network, which is based on collaboration, mutual support and a shared vision of constructive, solution-oriented journalism.

In addition to covering the event, the Media Connectors ran a lively EU-style stand, which included an interview corner and provided an interactive meeting point for visitors and participants.

Key voices and perspectives

As part of its contribution to the Forum, the EU Neighbours South programme also organised a series of side activities showcasing emerging journalistic voices from across the Southern Neighbourhood.

One highlight was an exclusive interview with HRH Princess Rym Al-Ali of Jordan, – a former journalist, President of the Anna Lindh Foundation and founder of the Jordan Media Institute, – who emphasised the crucial role of media education in the region. The Lebanese Minister of Information, Dr Paul Morcos, also gave a strong speech, stressing the urgent need to protect independent journalism as a cornerstone of democracy.

Keeping the Flame Alive

The EU Neighbours South programme also organised the roundtable “Keeping the Flame Alive”, which brought together senior journalists and young reporters to reflect on how to keep the passion for journalism alive despite growing challenges, political pressures and job insecurity. On this occasion, Anthony Bellanger, Secretary General of the International Federation of Journalists, took the floor and said: “We need the young journalists. Our generation is not able to follow all the movements of new journalism, especially when it comes to social media and the use of AI. This is not because we are not interested – on the contrary – but the new generation was born with these tools. They have a head start, and thanks to the skills they have already mastered and their commitment to the profession, we will all move journalism forward together.”

A spark of hope

Another standout moment was the participation in the radio show of Radio Grenouille, a Marseille-based media outlet and partner of the EU Neighbours South programme, to present Media Connect, the regional network that aims to strengthen the skills of young journalists and journalism students from the Southern Neighbourhood by providing them with practical experience and opportunities to develop their journalistic skills. Finally, the EU Neighbours South delegation took part in a panel discussion on constructive journalism, where they highlighted the importance of solution-focused reporting in a region all too often defined by crisis. The message was clear: tell the truth with sincerity, report issues ethically, shine a light on sources of hope, and restore meaning to journalism’s role in society.

Credit photo: Gaël Turpo

Sahafa MED: supporting independent journalism

The day before the Agora, the Sahafa MED programme, aimed at supporting independent journalism in the southern Mediterranean countries, organised a full day of dialogue and exchange at Mucem. The event brought together media actors and funders from the Southern Neighbourhood to rethink partnerships and cooperation models that can better support trustworthy, high-quality journalism in the region. The discussions were highly productive, recognising the value of regional solutions and reaffirming the role of the European Commission as a key supporter of independent media and advocate for freedom of expression. The discussions also highlighted the importance of empowering local organisations to lead media reform, combat misinformation and uphold EU values in defending freedom of expression across the MENA region.