Veteran journalists and experts from related fields have been among the speakers at this year’s International Journalism Week (IJW) 2025.
'Journalism in the age of drone warfare and democratic decline’ was the theme of the annual event, organised by the School of Information, Journalism and Communication. Throughout the week talks, workshops, and panel discussions by speakers from different parts of the world have taken place, sharing knowledge and experience on the coverage of drone warfare, journalism safety in general, fact-checking, and democratic backsliding.
Speakers included Ross Higgins, Head of Bellingcat’s Financial Investigations Team, discussing how Bellingcat uses open-source techniques to investigate and expose serious abuses of power and corporate violence around the world.
Tami Hoffman, Director of Public Policy, at the Guardian, talked about the existential challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI) to established ways of doing journalism. As well as sharing how the Guardian applies AI in new ways to deliver trusted journalism.
The event also welcomed Mike Pratt, the Senior Director of CNN’s International High Risk Team, based in London, who was formerly a BBC High Risk Advisor and ex-Parachute Regiment and Special Forces Support Group officer. Mike evacuated teams during Afghanistan’s 2021 transition and led CNN’s security function during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
IJW2025 included a number of student competitions, with awards for feature writing, debate, quiz, and the production of short videos.