Kalymnos Takes the Floor: Chalkiti and Tiliakou at Greece’s 56th National Journalism Conference -

Kalymnian journalists Eirini Chalkiti and Eleftheria Tiliakou will take part as speakers in the 56th National Journalism Conference of the Journalists’ Union of Regional Press (ESET), taking place from 30 October to 1 November 2026 at Nitsa Liapi Hall in Kalambaka.

Their presentations will contribute to the discussion on regional journalism’s role in local development and democratic debate. The conference’s central theme is “Journalism in the Regions: Working Environment – Local News – Local Development.”

Eirini Chalkiti will present “Regional Journalism and Development Journalism: A Contemporary Approach to Local News,” focusing on the relationship between local reporting and regional development.

Eleftheria Tiliakou will address “Two Islands, One Truth: Regional Journalism as a Shield for Democracy in the Post-Truth Era,” highlighting journalism’s importance in safeguarding fact-based reporting and democratic life.

Both presentations are scheduled for Session B on Saturday, 31 October, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The session examines local media and local news as pillars of democratic dialogue and contributors to development, culture, tourism and entrepreneurship.

It will be moderated by Dimitrios Lagos, emeritus professor at the University of the Aegean, and Vicky Kotsimpou, a financial journalist and executive at STAR Central Greece.

The conference is supported by the Hellenic Parliament and co-organised by the Region of Thessaly – Trikala Regional Unit and the Trikala Chamber of Commerce. Its programme also includes discussions on the challenges facing regional media, relations between the media and the armed forces, a briefing by the European Commission Representation in Greece, and presentations by Kalambaka school students.

The conference is open to journalists, university and school students, and the public.

Full Programme and Sponsors

Kalambaka, 30–31 October and 1 November 2026
Nitsa Liapi Hall

Friday, 30 October 2026

2–4 p.m. | Delegate reception

7–8:45 p.m. | Official opening, Nitsa Liapi Hall.

7:10–7:20 p.m.: “63 Years of ESET,” presented by Giorgos Koukouliatas, journalist and ESET Board member.
7:20–8:45 p.m.: Welcome address by ESET President Giorgos Koulouras, greetings from institutional representatives, and presentation of honorary plaques.

Saturday, 31 October 2026

9:30–10 a.m. | Delegate registration

10–10:30 a.m. | Session A
“Media in the Region of Thessaly: Challenges and Prospects”

Moderated by Giorgos Nastoulis, journalist and ESET Board member. Participants: Vivi Tsintsini and Nikos Bakolas, publishers and journalists.

The session also includes a presentation by Eleni Karali, economist and journalist:
“From Local Society to the Global Greek Community: Partnerships Between Regional and Diaspora Media as a Driver of Development, Culture and the Preservation of the Greek Language.”

10:30 a.m.–noon | Session B
“Local Media and Local News as a Pillar of Democratic Dialogue and a Contributor to Local Development: Culture, Tourism and Entrepreneurship”

Moderated by Dimitrios Lagos, emeritus professor of Tourism Economics and Tourism Business Management at the University of the Aegean, and Vicky Kotsimpou, financial journalist and executive at STAR Central Greece.

Presentations:

Metropolitan Theoklitos of Stagoi and Meteora: “Kalambaka–Meteora: A Relationship of Life and Development.”
Dr Theodoros K. Siontis, historian and research associate at the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Democracy: “The Local Press as a Historical Record of a Region’s Social and Cultural Life.”
Eirini Chalkiti, journalist: “Regional Journalism and Development Journalism: A Contemporary Approach to Local News.”
Eleftheria Tiliakou, journalist: “Two Islands, One Truth: Regional Journalism as a Shield for Democracy in the Post-Truth Era.”
Ioannis Sarros, journalist: “The Role of Journalists in Rural Development and Retaining Populations in Rural Areas.”
Anastasia Poulopoulou, journalist: “When the Regions Embrace Art: How an Artistic Event Contributes to a Place’s Revival and the Wider Area’s Cultural and Tourism Development. The Role of Local Media.”

Questions and discussion follow.

Noon–1 p.m. | Session C
“The Media and the Armed Forces”

Moderated by Brigadier General Konstantinos Kotakos, commandant of the Hellenic Army Non-Commissioned Officers School, and Ilias Proufas, ESET member and accredited defence correspondent at the Ministry of National Defence, kranosgr.

Colonel Panagiotis Karabelas, Infantry, spokesperson for the Hellenic Army General Staff: “The Army and the Media in a Changing World.”
Retired Brigadier General Georgios Kolonias: “The Digital Shift in Military Communication.”
Squadron Leader Ilias Kollyris, president of the Panhellenic Federation of Military Personnel Unions: “The Public Image of Military Personnel in the Mass Media: Boundaries, Responsibility and Consequences.”
Contribution by Lieutenant Colonel Panagiotis Michailidis, Artillery, spokesperson for AS DITH.

Questions and discussion follow.

1–2 p.m. | Session D

Briefing by regional administration and local government representatives.

Michalis Angelopoulos, lawyer and president of the Scientific Council of KEDE’s Institute of Local Administration, presents:
“Employment Opportunities for Journalists in Local Government.”

1:30–2 p.m.: Briefing by the European Commission Representation in Greece, with Theodoros Galanis, head of its Press and Media Team.

Sunday, 1 November 2026

10 a.m.–noon | Session E

10–10:30 a.m. | Briefing by the business community

10:30–11:30 a.m. | School community presentations

Kalambaka 1st Lower Secondary School: “School Mediation at Kalambaka 1st Lower Secondary School.”
Kalambaka 2nd Lower Secondary School: “Kalambaka’s Digital Trails: From Yesterday to Today…”
Kalambaka Vocational Upper Secondary School: “Protecting Natural Areas and Promoting Sustainable Tourism in the Municipality of Meteora: A Student Initiative.”

Institutional Support and Co-organisers

The conference is supported by the Hellenic Parliament and held under the auspices of the Ministries of National Defence, Digital Governance and Tourism, and the General Secretariat for Communication and Information.

It is co-organised by the Region of Thessaly – Trikala Regional Unit and the Trikala Chamber of Commerce.