Eleven students from the Faculty of Media and Public Relations at the University of Dubrovnik took part in the work of an international student newsroom during the European Festival of Journalism and Media Freedom – VOICES. This is one of the most significant European events dedicated to journalism, media freedom and contemporary challenges of the information environment. The festival was held in Florence from 10 to 12 March and brought together journalists, researchers, students and experts from across Europe and beyond.
The Dubrovnik students participated in an international newsroom, where they worked alongside students and young journalists from Italy and Spain, actively reporting on the festival programme. They produced audiovisual journalistic content in English, covering panel discussions, workshops and public debates addressing topics such as media freedom, disinformation, the role of journalism in democracy, and challenges of the digital information landscape. They were mentored by Assoc. Prof. Iva Nenadić, PhD, teaching assistants Ivana Grkeš Tošović and Ivana Hladilo, as well as an editorial team of experienced editors and journalists: Dario Dalmacija, Marta Vukadin and Filippo Cicciu.
By participating in all key stages of the journalistic process—from topic selection, research and fact-checking, to interviewing festival participants and content production—the students gained valuable hands-on experience in an international media environment. Darja Miljanić, a first-year student of the undergraduate programme in Public Relations, shared her experience:
“As a member of the student newsroom, together with my colleagues I had the opportunity to follow and document programmes covering various topics, from media literacy to inclusivity in the media. This experience allowed me to better understand European media initiatives and improve my skills in creating content across different platforms.”
Participation in the VOICES festival enabled students to engage directly with leading European journalists, editors and media researchers, and to gain insight into current debates on the future of journalism in Europe. The festival also provided opportunities for networking, exchange of experiences, and learning about different approaches to journalistic practice in an international context. This was also highlighted by Ivana Mišetić, a first-year student of the graduate programme Media and Culture of Society:
“Participating in VOICES gave me the opportunity to apply theory in practice in beautiful Florence, alongside media professionals and great colleagues. I believe this experience will stay with me as a wonderful memory because, in addition to pizza, pasta, art and friendships, I gained valuable experience that brought me closer to the profession and sparked new interests for what lies ahead.”
One of the most significant events at the festival was an interview with Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur for the West Bank and Gaza, who spoke about the importance of independent and objective reporting on developments in Palestine. At the end of the interview, students had the opportunity to ask questions, with Mia Bošnjak, a first-year student of the graduate programme Media and Culture of Society, posing a question on behalf of the Croatian students. She asked how the international community can ensure the protection of human rights in conflict zones and what recommendations, as a UN Special Rapporteur, could be given to the wider professional community.
Another key activity was the panel titled From newsroom to newsfeed, moderated by Carla Lešević, with Sara Bagić, both third-year graduate students, among the participants. The panel also featured students from Italy and Spain, as well as Sky News journalist Barbara Serra and Aidan White, Director of the Ethical Journalism Network.
This experience represents an important step in the professional development of the students and confirms the Faculty’s and University’s commitment to connecting theoretical knowledge with practical work and international collaboration. Participation in such programmes enables students to develop a critical understanding of media processes and build professional networks that can be important for their future careers. During their stay in Florence, the students also visited the European University Institute, learned more about Erasmus+ mobility opportunities, and attended the presentation of a book featuring research results on disinformation at the EU level.
Through participation in this mobility programme, students of the University of Dubrovnik have once again demonstrated that, through knowledge, engagement and a professional approach, they can contribute equally to the European media space and discussions on key issues in contemporary journalism.
