THISAMers BLOG

By Matevž Pucer

Images significantly impact our daily lives, with visual information often processed faster and remembered more effectively than verbal information. Professor Thomas Miller from George Washington University, USA, demonstrated how visuals influence our interpretation of news and storytelling. This has profound implications in news production and other media fields, including advertising, social media, and messaging.

By Lucas Marsh

Since the advent of photography, conflict reporting has played a crucial role in disseminating information about wars and civil unrest to the public. However, the manner in which journalists choose to present these stories, whether through the deliberate framing of photographs or the subconscious use of language, can potentially exacerbate tensions and lead to further violence. Thus, it is of utmost importance for conflict journalists to incorporate peace journalism practices into their work.

By Laman Huseynli

War, conflicts, and humanitarian crises have left indelible scars throughout human history, affecting societies and individuals deeply. In our digital age, visual representations of these events significantly shape public opinion and understanding. However, questions often arise about the accuracy and objectivity of these images, as they can be easily manipulated or selectively presented to support specific narratives.

By Kalliopi Konstantinidou

The International Media Summer Academy of Thessaloniki marked its seventh year this July. Over these years, it has brought together experts, distinguished professors, and knowledgeable students, all sharing their insights and viewpoints on pertinent issues within the media world. These discussions are crucial not only for media professionals but also for anyone interested in staying informed about media trends, detecting bots, and fact-checking independently.

By Jason Luo

A topic that captivated my attention at THISAM was the role of ethics in media and journalism. The significance of ethics was a recurrent theme in many presentations, notably those by Culver, Fawcett, and Bouras. With AI's burgeoning presence in our media-centric digital world, we are compelled to confront the moral implications of technological advancements.

By Isabelle Devi Poirier

I chose to write my essay on Steven Youngblood’s lecture about reporting on peace. The decision was difficult, knowing another Concordia student also wanted to cover this topic and that we had only seen half of the presentation so far—since this assignment is due before the next half. However, Youngblood's presentation deeply resonated with me, prompting critical reflection on my work during my two years as a journalism student.

By Evlambia Angelou

I had the privilege of participating in the 7th Thessaloniki International Media Summer Academy (THISAM), which took place from July 14th to 21st this year. From day one, the old Slaughterhouses of Thessaloniki were abuzz with an abundance of knowledge and information.

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.

By Antia Loizou

"I hope I disturbed you, not too much, but just a little bit." With these words, Dr. Dimitrios Bouras concluded his presentation on Friday, 21st of July, the final day of the Thessaloniki International Media Summer Academy (THISAM) 2023. It marked the last opportunity for us, the participants, to draw inspiration from the exceptional lectures delivered by experts in the media field.

By Anjali Nair

The program was a collection of diverse lectures under the larger theme of Media Literacy in the context of new media. It served as an urgent call to empower people with the critical capacity for accessing, creating, evaluating, and analyzing media.

By Abhinav Pandya

The most prominent theme at the THISAM 2023 lectures was the impact of technological advancements on the future of journalism, particularly focusing on the effects of AI. This topic featured in several lectures:

Conference theme: The currents of global media and culture
Date: July 13, 2023, 1:00-6:00PM
Venue: Thessaloniki, Greece
Co-organizers: THISAM (Peace Journalism Lab, School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece), Institute for Convergence Culture (Hallym University, Korea), Knowledge Coop for Good Governance (Seoul, Korea)
In collaboration with the journal Global Media and China (Sage)

This July I participated with a scholarship through the "Heal it" Educational Programme in the 6th International Summer Academy of Journalism (THISAM) that took place in Thessaloniki. At THISAM I was also responsible for interviewing the speakers and participants. Two exclusive videos will soon be posted on the social media of the International Summer Academy.

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THISAM is learning in an informal environment where ideas, opportunities and new adventures will naturally happen from a good beer among people worldwide. THISAM is an informal way to spend a vacation in Greece: the beauty of Thessaloniki and the well-known Greek hospitality are undoubtedly one of the assets that make such an event a “must” on my summer list. 

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