SDGs CONFERENCE 2024
25 September 2024, Wednesday | 12:15 – 1:45 PM EST | New York
630Second - Grand Ballroom | 630 Second Ave New York, NY 10016
PANEL 2
Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and Mainstream Media
Since its launch in 2014, the flagship event of the Journalists and Writers Foundation has brought together over 171 prominent UN diplomats, heads of state, leaders from civil society, and human rights advocates from across the globe. This key gathering has produced essential insights on the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing urgent matters related to peace and security. The three-day event includes side activities and diplomatic interactions that foster global partnerships among a variety of development stakeholders, allowing civil society organizations to share best practices in an inclusive setting.
At this pivotal time, it is crucial for civil society leaders, human rights advocates, journalists, and thinkers from various backgrounds to deepen their collaboration in order to strengthen the United Nations’ progressive initiatives as the world undergoes significant transformations. The SDGs Conference 2024 will feature esteemed experts and high-profile speakers from multiple fields to address three critical topics: (1) The Summit of the Future: Revitalizing the Pact for the Future, (2) Ensuring Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and in Mainstream Media, and (3) Advancing Inclusive Global Governance.
25 September 2024, Wednesday
12:15 – 1:45pm
PANEL 2: Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and Mainstream Media
Bringing renowned experts and high-level speakers from various disciplines, the Panel 2 will address the following topics:
- The Role of Journalists in Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis and Human Rights Reporting
- Building Sustainable and Resilient Media Outlets: Empowering Journalists on Digital Platforms
- Combatting the Mis/Disinformation in the Age of Information Pollution: Transforming the Landscape of Journalism
- Defending the Independency and Authenticity of Elections in 2024 Amidst AI-dominated News Ecosystem
- Global Crisis of Press Freedom Enforcing Journalism in Exile
MODERATOR
Jenifer Fenton
Journalist, Media
Switzerland
Jenifer Fenton has been the Spokesperson at the United Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Syria since May 2019. Previously, she worked for Al Jazeera in Doha and New York, and CNN in Atlanta, Jerusalem, London, and Abu Dhabi holding various senior positions. Ms. Fenton also worked for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Palestine, and the UN Refugee Agency in New York. With 16 years in the television news industry, she has won several major industry news awards, including multiple Peabody Awards. Jenifer Fenton also played a pivotal role in opening the CNN Abu Dhabi bureau and was also the Senior Planning Producer overseeing the Middle East for all CNN networks worldwide. She held the Yale Poynter Fellow-in-Residence for the 2017–18 academic year. Jenifer Fenton participates at the SDGs Conference 2024 in her personal capacity as a media advisor.
PANELIST 1
The Role of Journalists in Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis and Human Rights Reporting
Prof. Monica Attard OAM
Co-Director, UTS Centre for Media Transition
Australia
P Prof. Monica Attard is Professor of Journalism Practice and Co-Director of the UTS Centre for Media Transition, a cross disciplinary centre researching the impact of digital change on journalism and media more broadly. Prior to this, Prof. Attard was Head of Journalism at UTS, Sydney. Her career in journalism spans 45 years across both broadcast and digital media. Prof. Attard was awarded the Order of Australia for services to journalism and is the winner of 5 Walkley Awards for excellence in journalism, including gold. At the ABC, Prof. Monica Attard anchored PM and Sunday Profile on ABC Radio, and hosted Media Watch on ABC TV. She was the ABC’s Russia correspondent charting the collapse of Soviet communism and the rise of capitalism, covering 8 civil wars across the old Soviet Union. Prof. Attard wrote a history of the era, “Russia, Which Way Paradise.”
PANELIST 2
Building Sustainable and Resilient Media Outlets: Empowering Journalists on Digital Platforms
Silviu Calangiu
Head of Digital Euronews Romania
Romania
Silviu Calangiu is a Digital Media professional with over two decades of experience in content production, digital identity creation, and team management. He is the Head of Digital at Euronews Romania leading efforts to establish the station’s digital presence and works with Euronews World to reach a global audience of 145 million monthly viewers. Previously, Mr. Calangiu worked at PRO TV for nearly 18 years, producing successful TV segments and special projects such as “100 Years in 100 Days” and “30 Years After.” He played a key role in digital transformation, revamping the stirileprotv.ro website and enhancing the digital presence of “România, Te Iubesc!”. Mr. Calangiu has navigated significant media industry changes, including crises, layoffs, and pandemics, learning valuable lessons from these experiences.
PANELIST 3
Combatting the Mis/Disinformation in the Age of Information Pollution: Transforming the Landscape of Journalism
Kate Hannah
Director and Founder, The Disinformation Project Aotearoa
New Zealand
Kate Hannah is the Founder and Director of the Disinformation Project Aotearoa, a research consortium examining misinformation and disinformation in New Zealand since February 2020. As a cultural historian specializing in science and technology, she investigates the internet’s role in information disorders, dangerous speech, and hate speech, with particular focus on misogyny, racism, and white supremacism. Experienced in research translation for decision-makers and community co-development of research, Kate Hannah was part of the Te Pūnaha Matatini team awarded the 2021 Prime Minister’s Science Prize for their contributions to New Zealand’s COVID response. She is a US State Department 2022 International Visitor Leadership Program alum, focusing on Disinformation in the Pacific. Ms. Hannah is also a PhD candidate and research associate at the Centre for Science and Society, Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.
PANELIST 4
Defending the Independency and Authenticity of Elections in 2024 Amidst AI-dominated News Ecosystem
Dr. Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi
Former Chief Election Commissioner
India
Dr. Shahabuddin Yaqoob Quraishi, a distinguished Member of the Indian Administrative Service since 1971, served as the seventeenth Chief Election Commissioner of India. During his tenure, he spearheaded several significant electoral reforms, including the establishment of the voter education division, the expenditure monitoring division, and the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management. Dr. Quraishi also launched National Voters Day. He was appointed Ambassador of Democracy by the International IDEA, Stockholm,alongside Kofi Annan in October 2017. Dr. Quraishi is the author of An Undocumented Wonder: The Making of the Great Indian Election (2014) and the editor of The Great March of Democracy: Seven Decades of India’s Elections (2019)
PANELIST 5
Global Crisis of Press Freedom Enforcing Journalism in Exile
Mahir Zeynalov
Journalist, Columnist
Editor-in-Chief, The Globe Post
USA
Mahir Zeynalov has diverse work experience in media and digital marketing. Mr. Zeynalov started his career as a Correspondent at the Los Angeles Times in September 2004 and held this role until December 2006. In September 2008, he joined Today’s Zaman as a News Editor and continued in this position until February 2016. In July 2016, he became the CEO of The Globe Post. In December 2017, Mr. Zeynalov transitioned to the role of Executive Manager at The Defense Post. In April 2018, Mahir Zeynalov has founded the MZ Digital Marketing. Throughout his career, Mr. Zeynalov has gained significant experience in media and journalism, as well as leadership and management roles in the digital marketing industry.