August update

Welcome to the Thomson Reuters Foundation’s August update. We’re dedicating this month’s newsletter to Trust Conference, our annual flagship event. Here you’ll find more details about the themes for this year’s forum and how you can apply for a free ticket. If you don’t regularly receive our newsletter, you can subscribe here. 

What’s in store at Trust Conference? 

Trust Conference is dedicated to tackling the gravest issues of our time at the intersection of media freedom, human rights, socio-economic inclusion and sustainability. Join us for this year's event in London on 19 and 20 October. Across the two days, hundreds of delegates will hear cutting-edge insights on topics including threats to independent journalism around the world; the role of the law in securing climate justice; the impact of AI on human rights; and how responsible and sustainable business practices can deliver social impact. 

For the first time, our event is free to attend. Our line-up of expert speakers includes:

Visit the Trust Conference website to explore the agenda and apply for your free ticket:

August updates from across the Foundation

Media Freedom: 

Protecting journalists against lawfare  

Earlier this year, we teamed up with the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia University to produce a report, ‘Weaponising the Law: Attacks on Media Freedom’ which identifies eight legal threats to journalists across the globe. The report also sets out 10 recommendations which detail strategies and actions – from increasing funding for legal support and advocacy to confronting the abusers – on how to protect journalists from this abuse.

We will explore these findings at Trust Conference and examine how the law can be used as a tool to strengthen, rather than to criminalise, independent media. Read the report here. 

Inclusive Economies: 

Exploring the impacts of emerging technologies  

Artificial intelligence is advancing at breakneck pace and the world's biggest tech companies face growing pressure to address the environmental impacts of AI - which requires large amounts of electricity and water to run. Our Context technology correspondent, Adam Smith, explores the role of AI in the climate crisis, as the world reaches boiling point. Read here.

At Trust Conference, we will hear from experts across the two days, as they discuss the risks and opportunities of AI technologies, including its impact on journalism, our human rights and the future of work. 

Human Rights:

Countdown to COP28       

With less than 100 days until the COP28 U.N. climate summit, the urgency of addressing the climate crisis has never been more critical. This summer alone, we have seen wildfires ravage countries around the world, deadly floods and catastrophic droughts. Our Context coverage highlights stories of communities already suffering in heat over the 1.5C limit. Read here. 

Join us on day two of our annual conference, where ahead of COP28, we are bringing together experts and thought leaders to discuss how technology and the law can be leveraged to secure climate justice.  

Discover more in our focus areas:

Media Freedom  |  Inclusive Economies  |  Human Rights

This month we recommend

READ | Laura Clark, CEO of ClientEarth and Trust Conference speaker on climate litigation and sustainable finance | Funds Europe

EXPLORE: Afghanistan: Two years of Taliban rule | Context 

READ: “It means a lot”: journalists say how the Media Freedom Coalition's embassy network in Bangladesh makes a difference | Media Freedom Coalition

READ: Falling out of fashion: Garment worker abuse under military rule in Myanmar | Business & Human Rights Resource Centre  

ATTEND: 'Web3: tackling hate speech and misinformation', moderated by Yasir Khan, Editor-in-Chief, Context | UNHCR side event at CogX Festival, hosted at the Thomson Reuters Foundation's London office

WATCH | The urgent risks of runaway AI -- and what to do about them | TED

Opportunities

We have a number of exciting job opportunities in our TrustLaw team, the world's largest global pro bono network, facilitating free legal support and research for NGOs and social enterprises around the world.

Senior Legal Programmes Advisor | TrustLaw  
Legal Officer, Media Freedom | TrustLaw  
Programme Coordinator | TrustLaw  
Programme Officer, Global Initiatives | TrustLaw 

We are the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, the global news and information services company. We work to advance media freedom, foster more inclusive economies, and promote human rights.

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