Image Credit : European Parliament

Eurovision ACADEMY, the EBU’s professional training unit, held a special Network & Learn event today (21 March) at the European Parliament, in Brussels, for media professionals responsible for news coverage and other programming linked to elections.

The Network & Learn on Covering Elections, the first of its kind, looked at how public service media can use new programmes, formats and platforms to enhance the democratic debate and engage with viewers. It is a subject that is particularly relevant to EBU Members right now, since EU citizens will go to the polls in May to vote for a new European Parliament.

Programme highlights included how to explain political programming for audiences, using smart data and graphics to enhance coverage, engaging young people in the political conversation and the importance of innovating to create compelling programmes.

Insights came from a broad range of highly experience professionals working for EBU Members, including RTBF and VRT (Belgium), DR (Denmark), YLE (Finland), RTE (Ireland), NOS (Netherlands) and RTVSLO (Slovenia), as well the Financial Times and Louvain University, in Belgium.

A special contribution came from Mike Mullane, project leader for the EBU-led Eurovision Debate, on May 15, which is the first time candidates for the EU Commission Presidency will take part in such a debate on live television.

Eurovision ACADEMY Head Nathalie Labourdette said: “This Network & Learn will give public service news journalists a rare opportunity to compare best practices with peers and discover fresh approaches to election coverage. As the EU elections in May approach, we want to enable Members to prepare for the important job of providing impartial, relevant news about the poll according to the Core Values of Public Service Media.”