CatchLight and The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant Present: When Seeing Might Not Be Believing – truth, trust, and the future of visual journalism
Editors scan tens of thousands of images a day, racing to choose the one that defines the story—while AI reshapes what “real” even means. As public trust in the media erodes, the stakes couldn’t be higher. How do you choose truth at speed? What does authenticity look like when images can be generated as easily as they’re captured?
Join this provocative conversation from the perspective of a photojournalist documenting communities living through conflict, displacement, and political violence; a picture editor with decades of experience working on global news stories that have defined our times; and an AI innovator on a mission to safeguard the provable origins of human-created media, for a wide lens on the pressures, risks, and possibilities shaping the future of visual journalism—and what it will take to keep truth in focus.
Panel conversation with Ari Abelson (OpenOrigin), Krishna Sheth (Economist) Anastasia Taylor-Lind (CatchLight/National Geographic), moderated by visual artist and curator Emma Blau FRSA, followed by Q & A with the audience. Brief introduction by Erica Garber (CatchLight).
Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump is surrounded by U.S. Secret Service agents after an assassination attempt at a campaign rally in Butler, Pa., July 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
ABOUT
CatchLight is a visual-first media organization that leverages the power of visual storytelling to inform, connect, and transform communities. We bring resources and organizations together to discover, develop, and amplify visual storytellers at all levels. The Local Visual Journalism Initiative provides resources, training, and support to 25+ newsroom members across the United States. The Global Fellowship annually awards $30,000 grants to three visionaries defining the future of the field. CatchLight Live is a series of public programs that expand access to, understanding of, and support for visual storytelling.
The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant (IPPG) is awarded annually through a free, global open call and supports young and emerging photographers as they embark on their careers in the world of photojournalism. We offer financial assistance, mentorship, and ongoing support for the promotion of their work, welcoming the recipient into an international network of IPPG alumni and industry professionals who care deeply about the future of the field. Established over four decades ago in honour of photojournalist Ian Parry, who died aged 24 while on assignment for the Sunday Times during the Romanian revolution in 1989, the IPPG is committed to spotlighting new talent in photojournalism.
Ari Abelson is the co-founder of OpenOrigins. Over the last decade, Ari has helped startups build growth and community strategies. He has a background in mis/disinformation research, having collaborated with major tech companies and governments to combat misinformation. Ari holds an MSc from the London School of Economics, and has previously worked with Moonshot CVE, LSHTM and has contributed to projects commissioned by the MoD and Facebook.
Emma Blau has been at the forefront of visual culture her whole life. As a Trustee of The Ian Parry Photojournalism Grant, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an award-winning photographic artist with work held in the National Portrait Gallery, London, and an exhibition curator, gallerist, public speaker, lecturer, vintage clothes collector, and singer, Emma brings a multi-faceted perspective to every conversation. Her belief in the memorable stories found in the visual world continues to inspire her diverse career.
Krishna Sheth is the Photography Editor for 1843, The Economist’s magazine of long-form storytelling. She is responsible for commissioning all photography worldwide. Before joining 1843, Krishna held various positions in the photo industry, including 20 years as the Director of Photography for the Saturday and Sunday Telegraph Magazines. She has over 25 years in commissioning and research photography, working with some of the best photographers around the world. She has a special interest in emerging talent and also mentors upcoming photographers and artists in the industry. She also judges several awards and reviews portfolios for various universities and institutions. Krishna has in the past worked with Saatchi Prodigious, Aston Martin Magazine, The FT Weekend, Monocle and AirBnB and many more.
Anastasia Taylor-Lind is a British/Swedish photojournalist and a poet, documenting communities living through conflict, displacement, and political violence for over 20 years. Her work has gained international recognition for its depth, sensitivity, and commitment to community collaboration. In 2023, she received the Canon Female Photojournalist Award for her long-term reporting from eastern Ukraine, and over 100,000 people visited her exhibition ‘Ukraine: Photographs from the Frontline’ at the Imperial War Museum. She is a 2024 Catchlight Global Fellow, National Geographic Society Explorer, TED Fellow, and 2016 Nieman Fellow at Harvard university. Her first book Maidan – Portraits from the Black Square, about the 2014 revolution in Ukraine, was published the same year. Her debut poetry collection One Language was published by Smith|Doorstop in 2022. She has Masters degrees in photojournalism and poetry.
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