Iliana Iotova, President of Bulgaria
Milen Mitev, Director General, BNR
Milena Milotinova, Director General, BNT
Jean Philip De Tender, Deputy Director General, EBU Strategy Services & Media

As geopolitical tensions reshape global narratives, public service media in Europe faces growing challenges in maintaining trust, independence, and relevance. In this keynote, Award-winning investigative journalist Tom Van de Weghe draws on his international reporting to examine the impact of political influence, disinformation, and audience polarization and how emerging technologies and global power dynamics are transforming the information landscape. The keynote offers insights into how PSMs can strengthen resilience, uphold democratic values, and remain trusted sources in a rapidly evolving media environment.

Tom Van de Weghe, Award-winning investigative journalist, documentary filmmaker, and geopolitical/technology expert

This session brings together EBU Members to share strategies of how public service media are preparing for crises and emergencies such as natural disasters, pandemics, war, political instability, cyberattacks, etc. Speakers will highlight strategies for ensuring preparedness in times of crises to maintain institutional resilience, editorial integrity, and public trust. The discussion will also explore the EBU’s role in supporting members through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and coordinated responses, strengthening public service media’s collective ability to inform and serve society in times of crisis.

Moderator: 
Madiana Asseraf, Head of Corporate Development & Strategic Initiatives, EBU

Speakers:
Johan Svenningsson, Head of Preparedness, SR  
Jaanus Lillenberg, CTO Director, ERR 
Valeriia Bezpala, Head of International Relations Department, Suspilne

“Live” once defined the value of public service media through immediacy, shared experience, and trust but in an on-demand, algorithm-driven world, its power is being questioned. This session rethinks what “live” means today by exploring how audiences experience meaningful connections. It also examines the strategic role of live programming in PSM distinctiveness, how impact should be measured, and highlights successful examples.

Session Host: Grace Zakka, Platform Strategy Lead, EBU 

Live Content: Why it Matters and How it is Evolving
Will Davies, Senior Media Analyst, Media Intelligence Service, EBU 

The importance of having a strategy for live radio both on terrestrial and in online distribution 
Peter Niegel, Senior Advisor for Audio Content Strategy, DR

The driving success behind ‘The Traitors’
Neil McCallum, Commissioning Editor, BBC
Jess Corbett-Price, Audience Research Manager, BBC
Ben Cronin, Marketing Manager, BBC
Jade Yoshida, Social Media Manager, BBC

BNT Multi-stream Interactive Platform
Milena Milotinova, Director General, BNT

In this talk, Akwasi Ansah reflects on his journey from artist and activist to co-founder of one of Europe’s newest public broadcasters, explaining how Omroep ZWART challenged traditional public media by amplifying excluded voices and driving institutional change. Focusing on the rapid rise of ZWART within the Dutch NPO, Akwasi will highlight the challenges of building a mission-driven organization, including community mobilization, legitimacy, and redefining what “public” means. Looking ahead, he shares his vision for empowering a new generation of storytellers to not only join the media system but actively transform it.

Akwasi Ansah, Founder & Creative Director, Omroep ZWART/NPO

In the closing session, the EBU Director of Media and the Chairs of the Radio, TV, and Digital Committees will discuss the state of public service media and the strategic direction ahead. They will consider the key challenges and opportunities for PSM, the role of public service media in crisis preparedness, the evolving role of the EBU in supporting members through collaboration and innovation, and how we can strengthen our collective voice with Big Tech and champion public-interest values.

Moderator: Jean Philip De Tender, Deputy Director General, EBU Strategy Services & Media

Speakers:
Sibyle Veil, CEO, Radio France & Chair of EBU Radio Committee
Dermot Horan, Director of Production & Acquisitions, RTE & Chair of EBU TV Committee
Philippe Keutgen, Strategy and Partnerships Advisor, RTBF & Chair of EBU Digital Committee

This year, the TV and Digital assemblies join for half a day to discuss common challenges. This joint session will address key cross-platform challenges for PSM, including the future of audience measurement, the impact of AI on production and discoverability, and strategies for distributing content beyond owned platforms. 

Bringing together both communities, it will offer a strategic exchange on how to adapt to a rapidly evolving digital and content ecosystem. 

This year's Radio Assembly will focus on two priorities that demand the attention of every EBU radio member. First, critical EU legislation affecting radio's distribution in connected cars is currently under review, and coordinated action across the membership will be essential in the months ahead – the Assembly will provide space to address questions and concerns. The Assembly will also mark Radio Ready's second year, with plans for the year ahead to be unveiled. 

Bus leaves from Hilton Sofia.