From April 23 to 30, 2025, 16 students from the Faculty of Information and Communication (FIC) at Antonine University (UA) took part in two major international journalism events in Marseille, France: the first edition of the Mediterranean Masterclass and the renowned Assises méditerranéennes du journalisme. These initiatives, organized in collaboration with Aix-Marseille University (EJCAM), CMA Media, and the association Journalisme & Citoyenneté, provided an immersive experience combining innovation, editorial production, and in-depth reflection on current journalism challenges.
Masterclass Focused on Artificial Intelligence
The first three days were dedicated to a series of conferences and workshops under the theme “Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” These sessions were co-led by Prof. Alexandre Joux, Director of EJCAM, and Dr. Joseph Moukarzel, Delegate of the Dean and Coordinator of the Master’s program in Information and Communication at UA.
The program began with a guided visit to the CMA CGM tower, followed by a discussion on the integration of AI in Lebanese media, specifically at “L’Orient-Le Jour, L’Orient Today,” led by Ludovic Blecher and Iva Kovic. Students then visited the CMA Media headquarters and the Zebox innovation accelerator, before concluding the first day with a case study on the digital transformation of “La Provence” newspaper.
On April 24, students attended conferences on generative AI, its linguistic foundations, and implications for Arabic-language journalism. In the afternoon, the focus turned to a trilingual comparative workshop (Arabic, English, French) on the sociological and communicational dimensions of AI.
On April 25, students worked in international pairs to produce AI-assisted multilingual news pieces on major global topics. Their work was presented before a jury and published as part of the event’s official documentation. A formal certificate ceremony and closing reception at CMA Media marked the conclusion of the masterclass.
Editorial Immersion at the Assises du journalisme
The week continued with the active participation of UA students in the Assises méditerranéennes du journalisme, held at the Palais du Pharo from April 28 to 30. Guided by professionals from EJCAM and the École publique de journalisme de Tours, they provided daily coverage of the event alongside students from Rabat, Amman, Tunis, and other partner institutions.
Their productions — op-eds, profiles, field reports, and analytical pieces — addressed issues such as press freedom, migration challenges, alternative media, and misinformation in the digital age. These were published daily in “La Marseillaise” newspaper, both in print and online, as well as on the EJCAM website. One edition stood out for its illustration created by UA students with a background in graphic design, showcasing their creativity and sense of editorial visuals.
Academic and Human Recognition
The students were warmly welcomed by Prof. Éric Berton, President of Aix-Marseille University, during an official reception. Dr. Joseph Moukarzel, Delegate of the Dean and Coordinator of the Master’s Program in Information and Communication, praised in his speech the quality of Franco-Lebanese cooperation, highlighting the UA students’ ability to adapt to the transformations of international journalism while upholding a strong sense of professional ethics.
This double engagement, academic and editorial, helped strengthen the ties between the two institutions, while showcasing the know-how, creativity, and critical thinking of UA students. It demonstrated their commitment to a form of journalism that is ethical, multilingual, and deeply rooted in today’s major societal debates.