Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
The impact of technology and AI is unprecedented. Tech is one of the defining forces shaping our political, economic and social realities. From elections and labour rights to education, health, culture and migration, technology companies - and their owners - have huge power. Yet for years, reporting on the tech industry has largely been seen as the domain of highly specialised tech reporters, fluent in jargon, algorithms, product launches and engineering cultures. As a result, many newsrooms have treated Big Tech as a niche beat rather than a central subject that cuts across almost every area of journalism. This panel starts from a different premise: almost every journalist needs to know how to interrogate the tech industry. AI is radically reshaping the world of tomorrow. Bringing together reporters from different countries and beats — none of whom would define themselves as tech specialists — the conversation will explore how journalists have investigated the digital market from political, economic, labour and human rights perspectives. Panelists will discuss how cross-border collaborations have helped them follow companies that operate globally but are regulated locally, and how non-tech reporters can overcome barriers such as access, expertise and corporate opacity. Together, they will share practical tips, reporting strategies and lessons learned for journalists who want to hold tech companies to account, showing that you don’t need to be a tech expert to investigate some of the most powerful companies of our time. Moderated by Peter Geoghegan. Organised in association with Democracy for Sale.
Con: Peter Geoghegan (founder Democracy for Sale), Daniel Howden (founder and managing director Lighthouse Reports), Natalia Viana (co-founder and executive director Agencia Publica), Amy Westervelt (founder Critical Frequency)
The impact of technology and AI is unprecedented. Tech is one of the defining forces shaping our political, economic and social realities. From elections and labour rights to education, health, culture and migration, technology companies - and their owners - have huge power. Yet for years, reporting on the tech industry has largely been seen as the domain of highly specialised tech reporters, fluent in jargon, algorithms, product launches and engineering cultures. As a result, many newsrooms have treated Big Tech as a niche beat rather than a central subject that cuts across almost every area of journalism. This panel starts from a different premise: almost every journalist needs to know how to interrogate the tech industry. AI is radically reshaping the world of tomorrow. Bringing together reporters from different countries and beats — none of whom would define themselves as tech specialists — the conversation will explore how journalists have investigated the digital market from political, economic, labour and human rights perspectives. Panelists will discuss how cross-border collaborations have helped them follow companies that operate globally but are regulated locally, and how non-tech reporters can overcome barriers such as access, expertise and corporate opacity. Together, they will share practical tips, reporting strategies and lessons learned for journalists who want to hold tech companies to account, showing that you don’t need to be a tech expert to investigate some of the most powerful companies of our time. Moderated by Peter Geoghegan. Organised in association with Democracy for Sale.
Con: Peter Geoghegan (founder Democracy for Sale), Daniel Howden (founder and managing director Lighthouse Reports), Natalia Viana (co-founder and executive director Agencia Publica), Amy Westervelt (founder Critical Frequency)
