Albanian Journalists Dive into Global Media Trends at Europe’s Largest Media Event

20 April 2025 - Every April, the stone-paved streets of Perugia, a hilltop town in central Italy, come alive with ideas, innovation, and the energy of thousands of journalists. They gathered for the International Journalism Festival (IJF), Europe’s largest annual media event. During the 19th edition, nearly 300 sessions unfolded with contributions from over 600 speakers across five days, providing a deep dive into the challenges and transformations shaping today’s newsrooms.

Among the global attendees were eight journalists from Albania, members of the Media Forum, who attended with the support of a UK funded project aimed at strengthening media skills to tackle sexism and gender stereotypes. They had the opportunity to join peers from around the world in the historic heart of Perugia to learn, network, and be inspired. For journalist Erisa Kryeziu, the experience was nothing short of eye-opening: “The International Journalism Festival in Perugia has been an incredible experience, a true gathering place for everyone who believes in the power of words and the pursuit of truth.”

The festival’s agenda was packed with important topics covering a wide range of issues, from disinformation and media freedom to investigative feminist reporting, inclusive journalism, and the fast-evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in gender-sensitive reporting. Most of the sessions reflected UN Women's vision for a more inclusive media landscape, helping the participating Albanian journalists strengthen their capacities to report on gender equality, challenge stereotypes and push for a more balanced narrative in their reporting.

Some sessions offered practical information. Elira Kadriu recounted a talk that explored the journalistic potential of everyday digital tools: “One of the sessions I attended was about Google Maps and how you can use it to showcase a city's transformation through photos. I think it’s an interesting approach to apply in the newsroom where I work, for example, to show how different areas of Tirana have changed.”

The festival’s lineup featured world-renowned journalists, activists, Oscar winners, and Nobel laureates. This diverse group of voices reflects the evolving role of journalism in society, offering perspectives from every corner of the world. As Sokol Bregu, another Albanian participant, put it:

“This isn’t just a place for the best journalism in the world, it is where the people who are at the forefront of revolution in journalism gather – it showcases the mindset, the foundation upon which we can build a new way of thinking, a different perspective from which to develop qualitative products in Albania.”

The festival also provided opportunities for deeper reflections. Mona Eltahawy, a journalist and feminist who attended the landmark Beijing Women’s Conference 30 years ago, delivered a powerful message to fellow reporters:

“Feminism has always been at the heart of my work because I believe that a feminist reporter highlights to society the ways that patriarchy constricts all of us. A feminist reporter reports to society the way patriarchy harms us, misogyny harms, and other oppressions as well. We need to move away from issues that focus only on men, to issues that focus on society as a whole.”

Thanks to the UK Government's financial support, the Albanian journalists who attended the sessions not only gained invaluable knowledge but also became agents of change, armed with a deeper understanding of how gender dynamics influence newsrooms across the globe. These insights will be key in shaping the future of media in Albania, challenging traditional norms, and ensuring a more inclusive and representative narrative in local news coverage.