Journalists from Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Bolivia proposed jointly producing materials on natural resources, industrial development and climate change in Latin America. The initiatives were put forward during a TV BRICS teleconference involving students from the international journalism course at the Faculty of Communication Sciences of the National University of Cordoba.
One of the topics proposed for joint projects was the use of natural resources for the region’s economic development. Executive Director of the Argentine portal Punto Capital Noticias Leonel Sanchez suggested examining opportunities for the industrial processing of raw materials at local enterprises. As examples, he cited lithium deposits in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile; the Vaca Muerta oil and gas basin in Argentina; and the Pre-Salt oil region in Brazil.
Another area of joint work is coverage of climate change and its impact on people’s lives. Head of the multimedia department at Bolivian media outlet Visión 360 Alejandra Sanchez proposed combining journalistic materials from different countries on water resources, agriculture and the specific features of climate processes. In her view, this approach would make it possible to compare the experiences of Latin American countries and identify trends common to the region.
Participants linked the development of joint projects to expanding professional cooperation between editorial teams. teleSUR correspondent in Chile Paola Dragnic called for the creation of a permanent information-sharing network among media outlets, news agencies and civil society organisations of the Global South. She also proposed developing a shared information agenda and expanding the joint production of journalistic and audiovisual materials.
The discussion was continued by Editor-in-Chief of Mexican television channel Canal 6Tv, Citlalmina Pina Cruz, and Brasil de Fato geopolitical analyst and member of the BRICS Civil Council Marco Fernandes. They emphasised the importance of cooperation between media outlets from different countries for comprehensive coverage of international events. Fernandes also spoke about prospects for Latin American economic integration.
Particular attention during the meeting was paid to modern technologies and professional standards in journalism. Participants discussed the potential of artificial intelligence, the development of digital formats and ways of engaging with audiences. Leonel Sanchez shared the experience of the Punto Capital Noticias editorial team, where materials prepared using AI are subject to mandatory review by journalists.
“Artificial intelligence should be regarded as a tool that speeds up the preparation of materials, but under no circumstances should it replace the journalist. Information obtained with the help of AI requires professional verification. Moreover, artificial intelligence will never be able to replace human connections and a journalist’s own network of contacts,” he emphasised.
The TV BRICS teleconference was organised as a platform for direct dialogue between students studying international journalism and representatives of the media sector from BRICS and BRICS+ countries. The aim of the meeting was to exchange professional experience and views on the development of modern journalism.