Announcement: Media Ethics Lab

Ethics in the Real Work of Journalists and Editorial Teams.

How do you work when any piece of content may cause harm — to sources, your newsroom, or yourself personally? How do you find a balance between the public’s right to information and safety in a reality where pressure and risks have become the norm?

We invite journalists, editors, and all media professionals working with content to join five practical online modules of the Media Ethics Lab.

What to Expect:

• Case challenges based on real practices of Belarusian media
• Interactive simulations of editorial decision-making
• Discussions on how to act in complex situations

Topics We Will Cover:

• Balancing the public’s right to information with the safety of journalists, sources, and audiences
• Working with anonymous sources, insiders, and vulnerable groups
• Fact-checking and verification in conditions of manipulation and lack of data
• Conflicts of interest and responsibility for publications
• Ethical risks and benefits of using AI in editorial processes

After the Media Ethics Lab, You Will:

• Be able to assess risks before publication and make more informed decisions
• Gain practical frameworks for resolving ethical dilemmas
• Better understand how to maintain quality under pressure from speed, likes, and reach
• Learn how to use AI in editorial work without undermining audience trust

Trainers:

• Oleg Ageev, Deputy Chair of the Belarusian Association of Journalists, lawyer
• Lola Burieva, editor and media manager (BRC)
• Denis Vasilkov, independent media consultant
• Ksenia Vyaznikovtseva, investigative journalist
• Zoya Khrutskaya, journalist and media manager, co-founder of PALATNO
• Alexey Shota, media trainer (Hrodna.life)

When and where:

• 5 online modules (Zoom)
• Wednesdays, from May 6 to June 3, 2026
• 17:00–19:30 (Warsaw) / 18:00–20:30 (Minsk, Vilnius) 

We expect active participation during case discussions and group work.

Participation:

Participation is free of charge. The number of places is limited.

REGISTRATION
Apply by May 4, 2026, 17:00 (Vilnius time).
Working languages: Belarusian and Russian.

The Media Ethics Lab is organized by the Belarusian Association of Journalists in partnership with the Friedrich Ebert Foundation.
If you have any questions, please contact us at: office(at)baj.media