The Brussels press corps is becoming more concentrated as journalists grapple with changing technology, social media and artificial intelligence, according to a new study presented by the Council’s Media Relations Unit.
Romain Sadet, head of the Council’s Media Relations Unit, and press and communication administrator Stergios Fotopoulos, who worked on the study, presented the findings during an API-hour. The research updates a study published in 2021 and examines how the Brussels press corps and journalists’ working practices have evolved.
“The number of accredited journalists has remained stable, [Ed. while] the number of media organisations registered in Brussels has decreased over the past five years,” Mr Sadet said. He said this could indicate increasing concentration among larger news organisations, with fewer smaller outlets and one-person operations.
However, he noted that the overall number of EU-accredited journalists has fallen since its peak in 2014.
Another notable trend is the decline in registered freelancers. About 25% of journalists were registered as freelancers in 2020, compared with about 12% in the latest data – a trend that runs counter to broader developments in journalism. Mr Sadet said the decline in freelancers “goes against any studies worldwide of journalism”.
The study, commissioned by the Council’s General Secretariat in collaboration with Professor Sophie Lecheler of the University of Vienna, also found changes in how journalists gather information. Off-the-record briefings remain highly valued, while spokespersons for the rotating Council presidency have become significantly more important sources. The use of WhatsApp, Signal, Telegram and other messaging platforms has also increased.
The impact of technology is more mixed. Journalists said social media has become less important to their work and has had less positive influence, including a decline in the use of X. They also expressed scepticism that artificial intelligence will improve the quality of news and voiced concern that it could accelerate the spread of disinformation, even though many already use AI in their work.
Overall, the findings suggest the Brussels press corps has remained broadly stable in size while undergoing significant changes in its structure, sources of information and day-to-day working practices.
