In a world where algorithms are reshaping the way information is produced and consumed, and where journalism faces growing pressures from multiple fronts, key voices in investigative journalism from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union gathered in Bogotá to reflect on the present and future of the profession.
The 4th EU-LAC Forum of Journalists, organised by the EU-LAC Foundation in collaboration with the Gabo Foundation, took place on 25 and 27 July as part of the 13th Gabo Festival. Under the theme “The Bi-regional Context and the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Investigative Journalism”, the event provided a space for critical reflection, technical learning, and the strengthening of alliances among journalists from two regions that, although geographically distant, face common challenges.
During the Forum’s opening session, Alberto Brunori, Executive Director of the EU-LAC Foundation, stated: “We are gathered here not only to reflect on the technological tools impacting investigative journalism, but also to reaffirm something fundamental: journalism is a pillar of democracy and a defender of human rights.”
Meanwhile, Jaime Abello, General Director of the Gabo Foundation, highlighted the challenges facing journalism in a global context marked by attacks on press freedom and disinformation. He underscored the importance of strengthening partnerships such as the one between the Gabo Foundation and the EU-LAC Foundation to face these challenges from a bi-regional perspective.
The 4th EU-LAC Forum of Journalists featured two main components: a public panel discussion and a learning exchange session. In both, artificial intelligence (AI) was a central theme, with its impact explored across investigative techniques, as well as the ethical and social frameworks of the journalistic profession.
AI and Investigative Journalism: A Bi-regional Learning Exchange
The Forum’s first day focused on a learning and exchange session centred on the relationship between artificial intelligence and investigative journalism, attended by invited journalists and specialists. The goal was to explore how emerging technologies — particularly AI — are transforming methodologies, challenges, and opportunities for journalism in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union.
The session was moderated by Francesc Badia of Open Democracy, and began with a conceptual introduction by Frank La Rue, Chair of the Board of the Demos Institute, who provided an overview of how technology is influencing investigative journalism.
Following this, practical experiences were shared from the regions represented at the Forum: Inga Springe, Executive Director of Re:Baltica (Latvia), presented how AI is being used in investigative journalism in Eastern Europe. Nazima Raghubir, former President of the Guyana Press Association, shared a Caribbean perspective on available digital tools and the region’s technological infrastructure challenges. Rosental Alves, Director of the Knight Center for Journalism in the Americas, offered a perspective on how technology is once again revolutionising journalism, highlighting the need to embrace innovation with an open mindset while remaining critically aware of its use.
The interventions reflected both the benefits and ethical tensions posed by AI, particularly in relation to automation, disinformation, data privacy, and technological concentration. This exchange reaffirmed the need to foster training, collaboration, and ethical reflection in the face of new technologies, ensuring that technical innovation goes hand in hand with journalism’s democratic commitment.
A Bi-regional Panel on the Challenges of Investigative Journalism
The panel “Challenges of Investigative Journalism in Latin America, the Caribbean, and the European Union” brought together leading figures in journalism to discuss the social, political, and technological contexts that shape their work. The session was moderated by Frank La Rue and featured panelists Inga Springe and Nazima Raghubir, alongside María Teresa Ronderos, Director of the Latin American Centre for Investigative Journalism (CLIP), and Paul Radu, Co-founder and Chief of Innovation at the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP).
The panel began with a central question: What is the current context of investigative journalism in each region, considering the challenges posed by socio-political and technological environments? The responses painted a shared picture of threats to press freedom, democratic backsliding, political pressure, the use of social media to discredit journalists, and the ambivalent effects of artificial intelligence.
Inga Springe denounced the rise in attacks and smear campaigns against journalists and stressed the urgency of creating transnational support networks. Nazima Raghubir emphasised collaboration among journalists as a key tool in the Caribbean. Paul Radu called for capacity building to process large volumes of data, reduce technological dependency on the United States, and better connect with audiences and activists. María Teresa Ronderos, for her part, warned of the loss of access to public information and the urgent need to foster cross-border investigative journalism consortia.
The 4th EU-LAC Forum of Journalists reaffirmed its role as a space for bi-regional exchange among media professionals. The lessons and recommendations drawn from the event will feed into preparations for the upcoming EU-CELAC Summit in 2025, contributing to a stronger role for journalism in the bi-regional agenda.