The importance of podcasts as audio and video formats has been steadily increasing over the past few years. According to the Reuters Institute's report on digital news for the year 2023, the number of podcast listeners worldwide for that year exceeded 464 million people. This large number, along with the general interest in this media format, can be attributed to the fact that podcasts overcome the shortcomings that traditional media fail to address: they enable deeper interaction with the audience compared to traditional media such as television or radio, provide a more personalized approach, offer deeper analysis of specific topics, and serve as a way of incidental information, education, and entertainment, making them appealing in modern society. 

In line with the growing interest in podcasts as a new form of creating media content, the Belgrade Open School, as part of the Academy of Journalism, or the "Youth and Media for Democratic Development" project, organized a Masterclass on this topic.

The event took place on April 5, 2024, in Belgrade. Besides being aimed at gaining new knowledge and techniques in journalism, this Masterclass provided an opportunity for participants to engage in discussions with the lecturer, as well as to meet and exchange experiences with alumni of the Academy of Journalism. 

The Masterclass, led by longtime journalist and author of the Agelast podcast, Galeb Nikacevic, provided participants with an opportunity to delve deeper into the concept of podcasts, including its history, preparations for its production, and interaction with the audience. In addition, participants of this year's cycle of the Academy of Journalism had the opportunity to reflect on their mentorship process they are currently undergoing as part of their final project work, as well as to share their experiences with each other. 

The lecturer also addressed the role of traditional media in the digital space, as well as the inevitable need for these media to adapt to new content and reporting methods. 

Podcasts represent not only a new media format but also a new way of thinking about how information is distributed and consumed, said Nikacevic. It is important for traditional media to recognize these changes and adapt to the new demands of the audience. 

This Masterclass provided an opportunity for young journalists to familiarize themselves with the latest trends and practices in the world of podcasts, as well as to acquire new skills and perspectives for their work in the era of digital reporting and the transformation of traditional media. 

The project "Youth and Media for Democratic Development" is implemented by the Belgrade Open School with the support of the Kingdom of Sweden.