A breakwater is the final barrier that keeps a harbor safe, protecting it from the storm. In the same way, quality, independent journalism is the last stronghold that shields society from disinformation, censorship, abuse of power, authoritarianism, corporate greed, and the unchecked influence of Big Tech.

For journalists, reporters, media professionals, freelancers, podcasters, NGO activists, watchdogs, whistleblowers, students — and everyone who believes in the power and purpose of quality journalism.

We believe independent journalism requires not only courage, but also knowledge, skills, resources — and above all, solidarity: an active network that allows us to join forces. Alone, we are fragile. Together, we can defend the truth. Together, we can grow, create, and collaborate.

Three days of workshops, lectures, debates, meetings, and networking. From data exchange and cross-border investigations to OSINT techniques, creative uses of AI, uncovering disinformation, and transforming investigative stories into film, audio and television productions. Hands-on sessions with some of the best experts, sharing of tools, methods, and professional standards.

The festival is organized by the Reporters Foundation — the only independent investigative and innovation hub for journalism in Poland. Our mission is to strengthen fact-based reporting and cross-border collaboration.

A flexible and dedicated team is working on the festival: Wojciech Cieśla (investigative journalist, head of the Reporters Foundation, editor-in-chief of FRONTSTORY.PL), Peter Matjašič (civil society leader, director of the Reference Circle, head of network and development at Report for the World), Amund Trellevik (investigative journalist specialising in Russia, security policy, and Arctic affairs, head of Barents Press Norway), Agata Piwowarska (events management expert) and Michael Miller (culture worker specialising in international and cross-border projects).

Poland, Gdańsk, European Solidarity Centre

The venue is no coincidence. Gdańsk — one of Europe's great port cities — has for centuries symbolized openness, cooperation, exchange of ideas, and dialogue across divides. It is also the birthplace of Solidarność (Solidarity) — the extraordinary civic movement that peacefully won freedom and democracy in totalitarian Eastern Europe in the 1980s.

Today, we see that the values that the democracy movement in Gdańsk and Poland fought for throughout Eastern Europe are now under pressure.

The breakwaters of Gdańsk offer the perfect shelter for the best reporters — ready to collaborate, yet unafraid to fight.