Free Press Live 2026
On 3 February 2026, Free Press Unlimited invites you to Free Press Live 2026: an event exploring who decides which crises reach the global spotlight and which stories remain invisible.
Who decides what becomes mainstream news? Agenda-setting is never neutral: it is shaped by access, political interest, editorial priorities, and public attention. This means that the attention a crisis receives does not always reflect its severity. Gaza has dominated headlines for years despite extremely limited access for journalists, while other crises, like Sudan, struggle to break through, even though the scale of suffering is no less urgent. These contrasts highlight a deeper question: how do media decide which stories need to be told?
Political pressure and public sentiment also influence which crises rise to the top of the agenda. Governments’ strategic interests, public fatigue with complex or seemingly intractable conflicts, and competition between major news events all shape editorial decisions. Meanwhile, large international outlets often set the pace, determining which regional crises reach global audiences, while smaller independent newsrooms must work harder to make their reporting heard. This raises a crucial question: how do local, regional, and international media shape the global news agenda, and why do some urgent stories never cross borders?
Free Press Live 2026 examines how these dynamics intersect: the media’s role as democratic gatekeepers, the political forces attempting to influence coverage, and the public whose attention can amplify or suppress stories. Together, we explore how journalists can navigate their agenda-setting power, ensure that critical stories are not silenced by lack of access or political pressure, and strengthen the democratic function of independent media.
Ceremony Free Press Awards 2025
As our ending spectacle, we will present the annual Free Press Awards 2025. In each of the two categories, Newcomer of the Year Award and the Most Resilient Journalist Award, one exceptional journalist will be crowned as winners. With these awards, we honour them for their commitment to their work.
Programme
13:00 Walk in
13:30 Start programme
- Opening remarks by Ruth Kronenburg
- Keynote by Rana Ayyub — Indian investigative journalist, author, and global opinions writer for The Washington Post, on exposing under-reported issues despite threats
- Panel discussion: “Agenda setting: why some crises make headlines and others never cross borders.”
- Free Press Awards Ceremony
16:00 - 17:00 Drinks & bites in the foyer of Nieuwspoort.
For who is this event?
Free Press Live 2026 is for anyone engaged with media, global affairs, and the power of information:
- Journalists and editors: Discover how global news agendas are set, why some crises dominate headlines while others remain invisible, and how to make under-reported stories heard.
- Policymakers: Understand how media coverage shapes public perception and international attention, helping inform policy decisions.
- Students and academics: Explore real-world media dynamics and gain insight into how global stories are shaped and shared.
- Donors and supporters of press freedom: Learn where support is most needed to ensure critical stories reach global audiences.
- Coalition partners and NGOs: Share strategies and collaborate on strengthening independent media and advocacy.
- Media consumers: Gain insight into how news is chosen and why a free press matters.
For everyone: Connect with peers, international reporters, and key media stakeholders to exchange ideas and build your professional network.
