Inside journalism: Behind the shifting media scene
Inside journalism: Behind the shifting media scene
Society

Mon. October 20, 6:30PM

Inside journalism: Behind the shifting media scene

In a fast-evolving media landscape, four journalists from different outlets share their insights on the Brussels scene and wider global shifts.

The first seats will be available on August 8 at 6 PM. 

The remaining seats will be released on September 12 at 6 PM.  


The media landscape in Brussels is changing like never before. Once known for its predictability, it has shifted rapidly, triggered by the arrival of POLITICO a decade ago, bringing a new style of gung-ho journalism. Established outlets have had to adapt, new publications are emerging, and reporters are job-hopping.


But this isn’t just a Brussels story. It reflects wider global trends: rising polarisation, a fragmented media ecosystem, and declining media trust in an era of rampant disinformation.


This panel brings together four journalists: Kait Bolongaro, Managing Editor at MLex, Javier Espinoza, Europe Executive Editor at The Capitol Forum, Philip Herd, Editor-in-chief of The Brussels Times and Jack Schickler, Managing Editor (Energy) at Contexte. Moderated by policy communications expert Victoria Main, the discussion will offer diverse perspectives on how journalism is evolving, both in Brussels and beyond. 


From behind-the-scenes realities to the challenges of covering politics in an age of extremism and scepticism, this conversation will shed light on how the media continues to do its job in a shifting, often ruthless environment.


©Photo: Jack Taylor

speaker

Kait Bolongaro

Kait is the Managing Editor at MLex in Europe, where she leads a 30-strong editorial team covering a wide range of policy beats out of Brussels and London. She previously worked as a reporter covering Canadian politics for Bloomberg and EU policy for Politico Europe. She was also a freelancer, reporting on politics, society, business and culture from five continents for outlets such as the BBC, the Guardian, VICE and Al Jazeera. Her reporting has won three prizes, including a silver medal from the United Nations Correspondents Association Global Prize on Climate Change in 2017 and a gold medal at the Canada Best in Business Awards from the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in 2021.

speaker

Javier Espinoza

Javier Espinoza is Europe executive editor at the Capitol Forum, a DC-based publication looking to expand its coverage in the continent. He was the FT’s EU correspondent covering competition and digital policy from Brussels. Prior to that he was the paper's private equity correspondent in London. He was part of the original group of reporters that formed the FT's Due Diligence newsletter in 2017. He was the Daily Telegraph’s education editor for two years prior to joining the Financial Times. Before joining the Telegraph in 2015, he was a multimedia reporter for the Wall Street Journal in London. He's done stints at Forbes, the Observer and other UK and international outlets. He studied journalism at City University. He is also a Political Economist having completed a second Master’s degree at King’s College London. He completed an executive MBA at IE Business School.

speaker

Philip Herd

Philip Herd is the Editor in Chief of The Brussels Times, Belgium's leading English language general news publication. He has over 25 years experience as a journalist - most of it at the BBC in broadcasting - covering major stories and breaking news all over the world. He has managed teams, news coverage, and bureaus across the globe, including Westminster, Belfast, Glasgow, Brussels, Paris and Washington D.C. Immediately prior to joining The Brussels Times, Philip was a consultant here in Brussels, and before that a Director of Communications for a global tech company. He is British, and moved to Brussels in 2019 from the UK, having spent much of his early life living in Vienna and The Hague.

speaker

Jack Schickler

Jack joined Contexte in February 2025, where he works as managing editor for energy in the English-language EU edition. Prior to that, Jack worked as a journalist for seven years, in the EU policy team at Euronews; as a financial services reporter at MLex; tax reporter at Law360; and regulatory reporter at crypto news site CoinDesk. From 2011-2018, he worked at the European Commission, including stints as speechwriter for EU Digital Commissioner Neelie Kroes, Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, as well as working in the private offices of Commissioners Julian King and Jonathan Hill. Before that, Jack was a civil servant in the UK Treasury in London, and an economic attaché at the UK Permanent Representation to the EU in Brussels.

moderator

Victoria Main

Victoria Main is a policy communications expert with a global perspective and an extensive network. As a media strategist at SEC Newgate EU, she founded the award-winning #BrusselsCalling debates with top journalists in 2015 that continues to this day. Previously leading global media relations at Nokia, before then she headed media at FTI Consulting EU. Victoria began her career as a journalist, most recently working for Reuters in London, and previously in Brussels, Hong Kong, Milan, Paris and Wellington.
Start
Mon. October 20, 6:30PM
End
Mon. October 20, 9:00PM
Format
TheMerode Talks
Language
English (US)
Guest allowed?
Yes, 1 per member

Address

Event
Place Poelaert, 6
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Parking
Parking Poelaert, Place Poelaert 1000 Brussels

Detailed programme

Welcome
Mon. October 20, 6:30PM
Conversation and Q&A
Mon. October 20, 7:00PM
Networking
Mon. October 20, 8:00PM
End
Mon. October 20, 9:00PM

this event is sold out