By Maja Sever, EFJ President
Something remarkable happened at the Voices Festival in Zagreb. Young journalists took over the microphones, cameras, social media, and stage, proving that a new generation is emerging – one that knows what it wants and how to achieve it. They were not just there to cover events; they were creating them, analysing them, raising important issues, and asking the right questions without hesitation. Over the three days of the festival, they filmed, debated, listened, and shared their experiences. Their passion for journalism did not remain just theoretical – they demonstrated what engaged and responsible reporting looks like. When the time came to support the students protesting in Serbia, they did not hesitate to interrupt the scheduled program, showing what it truly means to stand behind their beliefs and refuse to stay silent.
They are not interested in old stories, egos, or unnecessary rivalries. They are here because they understand the power and significance of journalism in a democratic society. They do not wish to be passive observers but active participants, which was felt in every discussion, every panel, and every report from the festival. At the festival’s opening ceremony, at the first panel, we met those who are the future of media.
The Voices Festival brought together students from the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, the Academy of Arts and Culture in Osijek, the University of Dubrovnik, the University of Split, the Croatian Studies, VERN University, the Catholic University of Croatia, the First Rijeka Gymnasium, and the Secondary School of Zlatar, along with numerous volunteers who assisted and actively participated in the programs.
A special mention goes to Televizija Student, which took charge of the festival’s video coverage. Journalism students from the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Zagreb had the opportunity to showcase the festival from their perspective, with an energy rarely seen in this profession. You may not recognise their names now, but remember them – they are the future of Croatian journalism.
The video reporters from Televizija Student are Petra Sokić, Antonela Besednik, Ela Hamzić, Franka Ivić, Sara Harjač, Eva Veselić, Sara Babić, Ivana Perušić, Anamaria Miličić, Sanda Božićev, Helena Lucija Vuković, Viktorija Kristić, Nina Čepo, Marko Kralj, Rino Jurić, Patricija Budiščak, Lorena Knežević, Luka Papa Stubbs, Ana Morena Jović, Filip Kolar, Martina Fulanović, Martin Zadravec, Ema Skroban, Lucija Janušić, Tamara Cvitkušić, Sebastian Koščak, and Vito Derdić – demonstrated what journalism looks like when done by those who genuinely love it.
International students from the Erasmus BIP program also joined the young journalists of Televizija Student. And alongside them from morning to night were their mentors. This media project was led by Tena Perišin, with the invaluable support of mentors and educators Petra Kovačević, Nensi Blažević, Kristian Došen, and Dejan Oblak.
A special thanks to HRT, who provided equipment for the student newsroom, and to the fantastic team that helped, educated, and participated in making this project a reality.
Watch their reports, interviews, and analyses here: Voices. Get to know them, this is just the beginning of their era. Thank you.
Source: EFJ
