By Apostolos Karampaglidis
THISAM 2023 officially concluded on Friday, 21st of July. It marked the end of a remarkable journey that provided me with the opportunity to meet people from all around the world and discuss new trends in Media, Journalism, and Communication. This unique experience, my first of its kind, allowed me to gain insights from diverse global perspectives on these evolving fields. The best professionals from around the globe arrived in Thessaloniki and shared their experiences with us. Interactive lectures, discussions, and special guests enabled me to have an up-to-date approach to topics related to Media, Journalism, and Communication.
All the lectures were engaging and kept me focused until the end. Each professional presented their unique viewpoint and described their experiences. One lecture that particularly resonated with me was Ms. Aphrodite Salas' speech, titled “From Extractive to Collaborative Journalism: Building Trust for More Accountable Reporting.” The lecture emphasized the importance of building trust in journalism to achieve stronger and more accurate reporting. As Ms. Salas mentioned, everyone needs time to feel comfortable and reveal their stories. During the lecture, Ms. Salas showcased a documentary that she and her team worked on, covering one of the darkest chapters in Canadian history: the residential schools, a project initiated by the Canadian government and operated by the Catholic Church.
Ms. Salas and her team adopted a unique approach to the topic by building trust with the locals. They were in touch for four years before actually arriving on-site for their research. “Gaining trust was crucial, especially considering the isolated living conditions of these communities,” she explained. The team prepared for various challenges, including adverse weather conditions and remote locations. The documentary turned out to be even more compelling than planned, featuring interviews with survivors who spent their entire lives at these schools.
From Ms. Salas' lecture, I learned the importance of handling personal stories with care, ensuring participants feel comfortable. It's vital to allow them to speak uninterrupted and give them time to answer any questions. Moreover, ethics should be at the forefront of our priorities to provide the most accurate and moral information possible.
In conclusion, Ms. Salas' lecture highlighted the approach journalists should take with every story. By treating each human story with sensitivity and respect, journalists can obtain the best information possible through the building of trust.
