From artificial intelligence to the role in defending democracy: everything that was said in the “Open Newsroom” of the CM in Porto

ABOUT morning Post celebrates its 45th anniversary on Tuesday with an “Open Letter” event taking place throughout the day in Porto and Lisbon.

The conference began with the theme “Investigative Journalism.” Journalists Tania Laranjo and Ana Isabel Fonseca spoke to students and guests, and Tania Laranjo spoke about the “marquis case” and the importance of this process for journalism and, in particular, for morning Post.

“The Marquis case marks journalism and morning Post. It was here, in this house, that the life story of José Socrates was first written. We launched an investigation that is still shaking our democratic system,” he said.

The journalist recalled the “fundamental” role of journalism for democracy and emphasized that reporting is part of the profession.

“It is truly an act of courage, but it is also our responsibility,” he said.

Tanya Laranjo also noted that “there is no power that cannot be controlled through journalism, even journalism.”

Journalist Ana Isabel Fonseca added that knowing that you helped expose the story is “the best reward.” I remembered that people look at morning Post “as someone they can turn to to report.”

For a journalist, the most important thing is the work she does for people.

“If I can help one person in my work, I have already accomplished my mission,” he assured.

Ana Isabel Fonseca recalled the case of Rui Pedro and emphasized the role morning Post during the investigation. “The work that morning Post not only reconstructed what happened, but also spoke about the shortcomings of the investigation. There were many shortcomings that morning Post helped get the word out,” he said.

During the question session, when asked about the challenges of journalism, journalist Tania Laranjo emphasized that “the big problem is time,” recalling the need to have a “cohesive” working group that can “deal with time.”

Ana Isabel Fonseca recalled that although sometimes there is external pressure to stop investigating certain cases, one cannot “give up.”

The journalists left some advice for journalism students: “You need to know what is happening in the country and in the world, and look for what your field will be.”

Journalist Tania Laranjo concluded by recalling the importance of reading for journalism.

The proximity of journalism

Journalist Sara Carrillo opened a new panel with the topic “Journalism of Intimacy” in an interview with Secundino Cunha and Armando Estevez Pereira.

Deputy General Director of the CM editorial office Armando Estevez Pereira recalled that “ morning Post It has always been a newspaper very close to the people.”

“ABOUT morning Post it’s from the street to the world,” he said.

Secundino Cunha said “close journalism” is less about local journalism and more about “whatever really matters.”

“Many people have seen problems, even personal ones, being solved thanks to our ‘close’ journalism,” he said.

The journalist recalled that the difficulties that journalism faced in the past are very different from those of today. Let me give you an example of the time it took to publish the news, whereas nowadays the effect comes almost instantly.

Armando Estevez Pereira emphasized that “the memory remains with an intensity that marks morning Post“, and reminded that CM “he was not born a leader.”

It was “giving face and attention to something that did not appear in other newspapers” that made morning Post leader, he added.

When asked about the problems of journalism, Secundino Cunha emphasized the use of paper newspapers.

“Journalism has always lived in constant change. Today, in particular, we live in uncertainty whether a newspaper will take a long time, more time or less time,” he said.

The journalist also recalled the difficulties of introducing real journalism into society when there are sites that do not engage in journalism and publish content as if it were news.

“There is good news for journalism. Our work has never been seen as widely as it is now. Millions of people follow our work. The problem is that it’s not the company that gets the money from this work, it’s META.” , Google,” said Armando Estevez Pereira.

During the question session, responding to a question about the difficulty of setting aside personal opinions when reporting news, Secundino Cunha said that “no one can crawl out of their skin,” but it is possible to be “rational.”

Armando closed the panel, calling for reading.

Journalism and artificial intelligence

Deputy Director morning PostAlfredo Leite opened the third debate by asking whether artificial intelligence is a threat or an opportunity. Physicist and university professor Carlos Fiolais responded that this is “a great opportunity and also poses some threats.”

“The world has completely changed. Artificial intelligence uses all existing technological capabilities to be there, to be present,” he said.

The professor recalled the danger that artificial intelligence can pose to journalism, as well as the barriers and difficulties that professionals face.

“These tools can be used to create fake news that can destroy society,” he said.

According to Reginaldo Almeida, “artificial intelligence must be demystified in a positive way.”

Reginaldo added that “with artificial intelligence, the main thing is the formulation of the question.”

“Artificial intelligence is a tool that helps prepare a good journalist. Because it will make him ask good questions,” he said.

During the question session, when asked how one can distinguish “fake news” from real news, Carlos Fiolais stated that “it is very difficult to distinguish what is real from what is made up. This is a difficulty in today’s world.”

Reginaldo Almeida concluded by saying that “artificial intelligence helps us continue to do real journalism.”

Journalism and democracy

This morning in Porto, José Carlos Castro began the fourth and final panel discussion by asking about the relationship between journalism and democracy today.

The mayor of Porto, Rui Moreira, said that thanks to these two tools, “a new element has emerged: social networks.” The mayor added that on social media, “you need to have a filter” before speaking, which ultimately limits freedom.

According to Rui Moreira, “democracy is always in danger,” and if “we do not treat it as in danger, it will die.”

The mayor of Porto believes that verification is necessary for quality journalism.

Lisbon Mayor Carlos Moedas began with memories of his father, who was a journalist. “I saw what it was like when my father was persecuted for what he wrote,” he said.

For Moedas, being a journalist “is a calling, it is courage,” remembering that these days “it takes even more courage” to be a journalist because “technology is killing democracy and journalism is suffering as a result.”

Carlos Moedas said he would change the statutes of the municipal cultural company to start supporting journalistic projects and believes this should happen in other municipalities.

Carlos Rodríguez, director general of Medialivre, recalled that “difficulties in delivering newspapers throughout the country” are a serious problem for democracy.

Carlos Rodriguez was asked about the monetization of journalism and he emphasized that “the quality of democracy depends on the quality of journalism, and the quality of journalism depends on the payment for journalism.”

José Carlos Castro concluded the discussion by addressing the topic of the general strike of journalists, and recalled that the obligations of a professional lie with the “people” and not with “salaries”.