At the European level, the AEJ is governed by a democratic structure consisting of the General Assembly and Board.
In 2024, in Rome, the General Assembly of AEJ has elected a new Board:
Arber Hitaj, President
- An accomplished journalist with 18 years of experience in television journalism, working with six prominent TV stations in Albania, including Report TV, where he hosts the highly-rated show “Studio Live.”
- Expert in political analysis and diplomacy, known for impactful interviews with heads of state and high-profile figures.
- Founder of AEJ Albanian section, actively advocating for press freedom and ethical journalism.
- Holds a master’s degree in political scienceand is fluent in English, Italian, and Greek, connecting with diverse audiences across Europe.
Catalin-Teodor Dogaru, Secretary General
- Multidisciplinary journalist and cultural advocate, combining expertise in strategic management, psychology, and media to navigate the complexities of journalism.
- Founder and editor of “Memorie Culturala,”an online cultural magazine dedicated to meaningful cultural discourse
- Senior Project Manager with over 15 years of global experiencein the US, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East,
- Holds a Ph.D. from Politehnica University of Bucharest and an MBA from WU Vienna, alongside advanced degrees in philosophy and psychology, bringing critical and analytical depth to journalism.
Irina Nedeva, Vice-President
- Senior editor and anchor with Horizon channel, the main informational channel of Bulgarian National Public Radio, andeditor-in-chief for BNR’s collaboration with “Euranet Plus,” the European radio network.
- Two-term President of AEJ-Bulgaria (2016-2024)and Board member, with a strong focus on ethical journalism and media integrity.
- Special Representative of AEJ (International)on disinformation (2017-2021), contributing to the EU’s legislative framework on combating disinformation and shaping policies like the Digital Services Act.
- Author of books and documentary films, including“A Cold Coke in the Days of the Cold War,” and active moderator in European cultural and political debates through initiatives like “Time to Talk.”
Brigitte Rambossek, Vice-President
- Senior editor with extensive experience at the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation (ORF), specializing in radio and internet journalism.
- Expert in EU affairs, focusing on European topics since Austria’s accession to the European Union in 1995.
- Member of “Team Europe,”an initiative by the European Commission, and active collaborator with EU institutions in Austria.
- Organizer and moderator of EU-focused panelsin Vienna, in partnership with the European Commission and European Parliament’s Austrian representation.
Panagiotis Sfaelos, Vice-President
- Ph.D. and LL.M. in EU Lawfrom the University of Kent, UK, with extensive academic and professional expertise in European studies and journalism.
- Secretary General of AEJ Greece since 2018and member of the Arbitration Committee of AEJ International since 2021.
- Seasoned journalist and editor, contributing to outlets like ActiveNews and Naftemporiki, and a Vice President & Research Director at the Centre for International Strategic Analyses (KEDISA).
- Professor in law and strategic studies, teaching at the Hellenic Police Academy, IST College, and previously at the University of Nicosia, Cyprus.
Ivan Brada, Treasury
- Chairman of AEJ Slovakia since 2019, leading initiatives to uphold journalistic standards and freedom of the press.
- Experienced investigative journalistfor Slovak Television and Radio’s program Reporters since 2007, specializing in uncovering impactful stories.
- Professional background in media, including roles as a reporter for Economic Newspapers (2007) and News Television TA3 (2004–2006).
- Long-standing editorat Slovak Television, contributing to public broadcasting from 1998 to 2004.
Representative for Media Freedom
William Horsley (UK Section):
- Expert in media freedom and journalist safety, actively contributing to international advocacy through the Council of Europe, OSCE, and UNESCO, with a focus on protecting press freedom.
- Veteran journalist with a 35-year broadcasting career at the BBC, serving as Tokyo Bureau Chief, Germany Correspondent, and Europe and World Affairs Correspondent, known for programs likeEurope Today and Europe Direct.
- Advocate for media freedom and safety, contributing to key Council of Europe policies, including CM Rec (2016)4, and co-authoringMission to Inform: Journalists At Risk Speak Out (2020).
- Co-founder of the Centre for Freedom of the Media (CFOM)at the University of Sheffield, serving as International Director and Professor of Media, Journalism, and Communication since 2009.
William Horsley will benefit from the assistance of the Bulgarian Section.
BRUSSELS REPRESENTATIVE:
Elena Kyropoulou (Greek Section)
Audit Committee
Tim Ryan (Irish Section)
David Walford (UK Section)
Javier Domingues (Spanish Section)
Vassiliki Ntoufexi (Greek Section)
Qamil Xhani (Albanian Section)
Arbitration Committee
Eileen Dunne (Irish Section)
Brindusa Armanca (Romanian Section)
Javier Fernandez Arribas (Spanish Section)
Carmelo Occhino (Italian Section)
Martha Janckarova (Slovak Section)
Honorary Presidents
Athanase Papandropoulos, Greece
Diego Carcedo, Spain
Eileen Dunne, Ireland
Otmar Lahodynsky, Austria
Honorary Vice-President
Carmelo Occhino, Italy
Doğan Tılıç, Turkey
Honorary Secretary Generals
Miguel Angel Aguilar, Spain
Juraj Alner, Slovakia
Peter Kramer, Belgium