Eurovision News Podcast

S2, E5: Tel Aviv: Day One

What's it like being a TV or radio journalist when war breaks out?

In this episode of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson brings you a snapshot of the first few days of the US-Israeli War with Iran, from the perspective of three foreign correspondents who were in Israel when the conflict started.

Veteran BBC foreign correspondent and presenter Clive Myrie explains how he presents the news from a hotel balcony as air raid sirens ring out; SBS News correspondent Ben Lewis talks about the challenges of working solo in a warzone; and ARD radio reporter Jan-Christoph Kitzler, who's based in Tel Aviv, also breaks down how the initial hours of the war played out in Israel.

S2, E4: Ukraine Anniversary: Witnesses to War

Just how challenging is it to report on the war in Ukraine? In Episode 4 of Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson meets two journalists who have been travelling in and out of Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24th February 2022.

Alex Cadier and Eric Feijten describe how they stay safe, try to cover the story with empathy and how they have developed a personal connection with Ukraine.

We also hear about the crucial role of "fixers" and the increasingly heavy burden on local journalists, who have been living with the conflict, day in, day out, for four years now.

S2, E3: Press Pass: Davos

What's it like backstage in Davos? In Episode 3 of Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson travels to the Swiss Alps for the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting.
 
The conference brings together the most influential figures in global business and politics. For journalists, it's a chance to rub shoulders with people who shape the global economy. However, even the world leaders and top CEOs in attendance had no idea what to expect from U.S. President Donald Trump, whose speech dominated the conference.
 
We also hear about the cat-and-mouse game of trying to "doorstep" VIPs and why Davos is just different to other international summits.

S2, E2: Is AI Breaking the News?

In Episode 2, Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, host Giles Gibson examines the relationship between AI companies and the news industry.

He visits the BBC's headquarters in London to dig into cutting-edge research on the growing use of AI assistants such as ChatGPT and Perplexity for news related questions. Experts warn these assistants are "still not a reliable way to access and consume news."

We find out how AI companies "scrape" news content from publishers online and learn about the "Facts In : Facts Out" campaign backed by the European Broadcasting Union and WAN-IFRA.

EBU Spotlight report on Bondi Beach attack: Debunking Bondi attack misinformation: Edward Crabtree lie

Season 2, Episode 1: Behind the Scenes at COP30

What’s it like being a journalist covering the COP30 climate talks in Brazil?

In Season 2 of the Eurovision News Podcast, Eurovision News Field Producer Giles Gibson pulls back the curtain on how major news events are captured and broadcast to audiences worldwide.

In Episode 1, we learn about how Giles got his start in journalism before travelling with him to Belem, Brazil. There we meet Anne Herrberg and George Lee, two correspondents covering the marathon UN climate negotiations.

Leading Newsrooms in the Age of Generative AI with Olle Zachrison and Alexandra Borchardt

The European Broadcasting Union's 2025 News Report -- Leading Newsrooms in the Age of Generative AI -- has just been published. In this episode, Laurent Frat speaks with Dr Alexandra Borchardt, the lead author, and Olle Zachrison, Director of AI at Swedish Radio. 

We dive into the insights and practical steps in the report -- from the tech advances, industry trends and public adoption of AI to the benefits and risks of integrating AI into newsgathering. Our conversation highlights the importance of quality journalism, human creativity and collaboration by public service media in navigating this new information age while protecting the integrity and reliability of the news. 

Playing with Fire: Investigating Russia's Hybrid War

In this episode, we delve into the latest report by the EBU Investigative Journalism Network's (IJN), "Playing with Fire," which uncovers the extent of Russian hybrid attacks in European countries. This cross-border project, carried out by EBU Members in ten countries, reveals among other things how low-level agents, often recruited via social media, are orchestrating cyberattacks, arson, vandalism, sabotage, and election interference campaigns. 

Join Belen Lopez Garrido, the IJN editorial manager, as she sits down with two of the collaborating journalists, Indre Makaraityté from Lithuanian Broadcaster LRT and Luc Van Bakel from VRT in Belgium. Together, they share first-hand experiences and insights into the reporting of the story and the challenges of attributing these covert operations to the Russian state. This episode offers an in-depth look at the investigation that presents how these attacks aim to destabilize European societies and undermine support for Ukraine.
- Read the full investigation here: https://investigations.news-exchange.ebu.ch/playing-with-fire-are-russias-hybrid-attacks-the-new-european-war/

Radio in the Modern Media Landscape with Cilla Benko

In this episode, Cilla Benko, Director General of Swedish Radio and Vice President of the EBU, joins Laurent Frat on the sidelines of Radio Days Europe 2025 in Athens. Cilla talks about innovative AI projects aimed at enhancing user experience and about the future of radio in cars. She delves into the continued resilience and role of radio in the evolving media landscape, and the importance of trustworthy news content. This is an in-depth interview with one of the industry's leading figures on the role of public service radio in today's media ecosystem.

Inside Hostile Environment Safety Training

Laurence Brecx, Eric Feijten, and Charlie McGrath join Laurent Frat to discuss Hostile Environment Safety Training (HEST). They share valuable insights and stories about the importance of preparation, the role of digital security, the advantages of networking within the course, and the unique challenges faced by journalists in high-risk environments. The conversation highlights practical tips, and the need for proper training.
If you would like to learn more about the HEST course offered by the EBU Academy, you can click the following link:  https://academy.ebu.ch/hest-hostile-environment-safety-training---in-person

Conflict Reporting: Jan-Christoph Kitzler on War, Trust, and Resilience

Jan-Christoph Kitzler, a correspondent with ARD in Tel Aviv, covers conflicts in Gaza, the West Bank, and nearby regions. In this interview, he shares the challenges of reporting in war zones, including a harrowing experience of being held at gunpoint and detained by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank. Jan discusses the balance required when reporting sensitive issues, the limitations imposed by Israel's media blackout in Gaza, and measures to mitigate risks and support the physical and mental health of journalists in conflict areas. He emphasizes the need for transparency in journalism, strategies to regain public trust, and the role of innovative formats like podcasts in engaging audiences.