Generative AI and Journalism in the Southern Mediterranean
A webinar held on 30 April 2026 exploring generative AI and its implications for journalism in the Southern Mediterranean region.

A webinar held on 30 April 2026 brought together journalists, academics, and experts to explore the implications of generative AI for journalism across the Southern Mediterranean region.
📖 Read the Webinar Summary Report
About This Webinar
This session convened four speakers offering distinct perspectives—from field practice and AI tool deployment, to academic training, ethical governance, and critical theory. Discussions covered AI adoption strategies, fact-checking innovation, newsroom ethics, journalism education, and the structural challenges unique to non-Western media environments.
A recurring theme throughout the webinar was the tension between the promise of AI as a productivity tool and the risk of over-relying on technology to solve problems that are fundamentally political, economic, and cultural.
Speakers
- Saja Murtada, AFCN Manager, Led by ARIJ
- Ahmed Esmat, Lecturer, AUC, Media Tech and Digital Transformation Consultant
- Anass Ben Drif, Senior Media and Disinformation Expert
- Jairo Lugo-Ocando, Dean of College of Communication, University of Sharjah
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, 30 April 2026
- Time: 14:00–16:00 CEST (Virtual)
- Format: Online webinar with interactive participation
Event recording
Watch the full conversation and revisit its key exchanges.
