Katharina Seuser presents EU FarmBook study in Brussels

At the second symposium of the European Network of Agricultural Journalists (ENAJ) in the Committee of the Regions (CoR), Professor Katharina Seuser presented key findings of a study on agricultural journalism. The studies took place as part of the EU Horizon project EU FarmBook.

EU FarmBook in the Committee of the Regions: Prof Dr Katharina Seuser (right) presented the project at the ENAJ symposium in Brussels. Photo: Krisztina Toth

In her presentation "How agricultural journalists report on innovation and tech in Europe", Seuser presented the results of qualitative interviews with agricultural journalists from 11 EU countries. Among other things, she analysed how agricultural journalists understand their role, which sources they use and how working methods are changing between print, online and social media. Seuser emphasised that journalistic ethical standards in agricultural journalism correspond to those of consumer media and that farms and farmers remain the most important sources of information despite digital research, social media and AI.

With a view to current developments, Seuser emphasised that dealing with increasing complexity - for example with new technologies - requires specialised knowledge and independent classification. This is precisely why professional journalism remains a key factor for comprehensible and reliable reporting, even in times of AI.

Study on agricultural journalism in Europe: Prof Dr Katharina Seuser presented the results of reporting on innovations and technologies in 11 countries. Photo: Screenshot ENAJ Symposium

The symposium took place as a hybrid event and was streamed live. Katharina Seuser heads the research field of technology communication and acceptance at the Institute for Technology, Resource Efficiency and Energy Efficiency TREE. She volunteers as a representative of German agricultural journalists on the Management Committee of the European Network of Agricultural Journalists ENAJ and supports networking between science, specialised journalism and agricultural practice.

About the Committee of the Regions (CoR): The CoR is the EU advisory body for regions and local authorities. It issues opinions on EU projects that affect local and regional levels and is based in the Jacques Delors building in Brussels.