With more than half the world's population going to the polls, 2024 is a testing year for democracy. In this recorded lecture (4 September 2024) international news correspondent Step Vaessen discusses the importance of independent and critical journalism at a time when press freedom is firmly under pressure and the media play a vital role in informing the public and safeguarding democratic principles.
Step Vaessen is a Senior International Correspondent with over two decades of experience in Asia and Europe, focusing on political, social, and environmental issues.
Some reactions from the audience
"A critical view on how press freedom is important for democracy and that democracy overall is under a lot of stress. I also enjoyed that the lecture was a bit provocative. Tied in well with the subject of free press."
"Interesting lecture; I wasn't aware of my limited perspective, which I will now work on broadening as a result."
“Given the overwhelming access to information (of various quality) and grim sociopolitical trajectories, I found it incredibly interesting and illuminating to learn more about the media and state of democracy world wide.”
© photo by Bart van Overbeeke