Keynote Speaker
- AI & Synthetic Reality
- Narratives & Belief
- Judgement & Trust
Paula Slier helps audiences navigate one of the defining questions of our time: how do we know what to believe?
17 September 2026
Beyond the Binary: Why the Most Dangerous Form of Information Warfare Is Emotional. TEDx University of Johannesburg 2026
26 October 2026
11:00–13:00 (South Africa Standard Time)
Leveraging the 2027 Special Davos to Unlock African Trade, Investment, and Business Growth Through Global Platforms
Format:
Virtual session (via Zoom)
17 November Evening
MC at the 90th anniversary dinner of ORT-JET, JOHANNESBURG
"Paula Slier surprised me, and it's not often speakers do. She is a talented story teller, with stories that capture the heart, provoke the mind and are delivered with exceptional engagement. Her record is undeniable and uncopyable. I would recommend her to any audience where impact is a priority"
- Mike Handcock, 2025/26 President Global Speakers Federation
keynote topics
FROM THE WORLD’S FRONT-LINES TO THE INFORMATION BATTLEFIELD
BEHIND THE FRONTLINE: THE WAR YOU DON’T SEE
Beyond the headlines are the human stories of conflict.
- Paula reveals the untold stories, ethical dilemmas and defining moments that rarely make the news, and what they teach us about humanity, leadership and courage.
FROM BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO BOTS ON THE SCREEN
How do you know what is true?
- In an age of artificial intelligence, digital media and competing narratives, distinguishing fact from influence has never been more difficult. Paula explores the hidden information battlefield that shapes what we believe, the decisions we make and the world we create.
THE BULLET I DIDN'T DODGE: HOW I LOST EVERYTHING AND FOUND MYSELF
What happens when the greatest threat isn’t the one you see coming?
- A deeply personal story of betrayal, loss and resilience that explores how life’s greatest setbacks can become the foundation for renewed purpose and lasting impact.
FEARLESS & FEMALE: BREAKING BARRIERS ON THE FRONTLINE
What does real courage look like when the odds are against you?
- Paula shares powerful lessons on courage, confidence and resilience from her experience as a woman reporting from some of the world’s toughest conflict zones.
- Brings frontline experience to the question at the heart of our information age: how do we know what to believe?
- Helps audiences understand how AI, narratives and information shape what we see, what we believe and the decisions we make.
- Challenges audiences to question what they are told, recognise influence and make better judgments in an increasingly uncertain world.
FROM BOOTS TO BOTS: WHAT WAR ZONES TAUGHT ME ABOUT SPEAKER CREDIBILITY IN AN AGE OF NOISE AND INFORMATION WARFARE
FROM PHYSICAL WAR ZONES TO THE INFORMATION BATTLEFIELD: HOW TO KNOW WHAT’S TRUE
The most important battlefield today isn’t always the one with bombs and bullets - it’s the one on the device in your hand, competing for your attention, your beliefs and your decisions.
So how do we know what’s true? Why do intelligent people believe false things?
This is a thought-provoking, entertaining and highly practical talk that will change the questions you ask before you believe what you hear, read or watch - and perhaps the way you see the world.
BEYOND THE BATTLEFIELD: THE UNTOLD STORIES OF WAR REPORTING
THE BIAS OF FRAMING
HOW TO SPOT FAKE NEWS
In today’s fast-moving world, the real challenge is no longer accessing information - it’s knowing what to believe. Misinformation spreads faster than the truth and AI can create content that looks completely real
Learn practical tools to think critically. This is not just another workshop. It’s a reality check.
THE SILENCE OF WAR, THE SILENCE WITHIN
THE AGE OF TOO MUCH KNOWING
PechaKucha is a Japanese expression meaning “chit-chat” or “casual conversation.” It is a fast-paced presentation format established in Tokyo in 2003, in which exactly 20 slides are shown for 20 seconds each, creating a talk lasting 6 minutes and 40 seconds.
BEHIND THE FRONTLINE: THE WAR YOU DON’T SEE
UCT summer School Cape Town, South Africa
What if everything you believed about a story was wrong? In a world where headlines scream louder than facts and viral posts outrun the truth, knowing how to spot fake news is not a luxury – it is essential.
What does it mean to risk your life for a story – and what happens when the cameras stop rolling?
HOW TO GET THE MEDIA TALKING ABOUT YOU
International journalist Paula Slier shares her personal experience of betrayal to help teens recognise online traps. From romance scams to sexting blackmail, this session equips young people with the awareness to spot warning signs, protect themselves, and make safer choices. Above all, it shows them how to know when trust is being exploited.
Hooked online: How teens get caught - and how to stay safe
Understanding how the media works and how to get it to pay attention to you. A hands-on workshop that will get you free media publicity as a professional speaker.
Taking the Stage Around the World
"Ensuring Safety Protocols for Journalists”
- Panelist in the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day conference in Accra, Ghana
"Telling Compelling Stories: Challenges and Opportunities”
- Addressed Asia Media Summit in New Delhi, India
“Reporting from the Middle East: Separating Fact from Fiction”
- Panelist in the Global Coalition 4 Israel Forum in Jerusalem, Israel
“The New Journalism Story: Where did the technology disappear?”
- Addressed DIGIT – Online Journalism Conference – in Herzliya, Israel
“Reporting on Peace and Conflict: Have the Rules Changed?”
- Addressed the Asia Media Summit in Qingdao, China
“Safety of Women Journalists”
- Addressed the Women with the Wave Forum of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Istanbul, Turkey
"FEARLESS AND FEMALE ON THE FRONTLINE"
- Delivered a keynote to the MENA Media Forum in Cairo, Egypt
“CRITICAL MINDS FOR CRITICAL TIMES”
- Participated in the UNESCO World Press Freedom Day conference in Jakarta, Indonesia
"THRIVING IN THE NEW MEDIA ERA"
- Addressed the Women with the Wave Forum of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan
"Building Trust: Enriching Audience Experience"
- Addressed the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Conference in Tokyo, Japan
“OSCE Safety of Journalists in Conflict Situations”
- Participated in various working sessions of the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) for human rights and democracy dedicated to the work of journalists in conflict zones. Addressed conferences in Vienna, Warsaw and Vilnius
“WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP CREATING A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER”
- + Addressed the Stella Women Around the World conference in Manama, Bahrain
The question is no longer "Is this true?" The question is: "Why am I seeing this? Why now? What's missing?"
- paula slier
speaking testimonials
- "I'm receiving so many compliments about our fabulous speaker today l just have to pass it on. You really hit the spot with our members and so the compliments should go to you. Please keep in touch with us and come back when you are launching your book as we'd love to welcome you again."
DI LAVERY, INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S CLUB OF SOUTH AFRICA
- "Once again many thanks for a brilliant presentation as always. Your knowledge of the complexities in Israel and the Middle East is extraordinary. But it is your incredible ability to engage with your audience and to make difficult issues accessible that is really impressive. The audience was riveted and I’ve had amazing feedback."
HAZEL COHEN, GREAT PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE, south africa
SANDY SMITH, SANDTON PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS FELLOWSHIP
- “You are the most amazing speaker. I have received such lovely remarks from our members who think you are an outstanding speaker. Somehow you managed to make us feel that we were a part of your story.”
Raksha Mahabeer, Brand & Marketing Strategist
- “Your talk has stayed with me, it was one of the most impactful ones from the entire convention. Thank you for challenging me around identity, authenticity and reputation.
- “I feel so thankful to you for the excellent presentations Paula. You were almost certainly rated as one of the best speakers at Summer School amongst a really excellent group.”
MELODIE WESSELS, UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN SUMMER SCHOOL
- "There is absolutely no doubt that you were the main attraction at all three South African conferences.”
SHERYL BENJAMIN, LIMMUD SHARK TANK, SOUTH AFRICA
- "Was a really great presentation. It is still being spoken about! Attagirl! Shelley Addis, University of the Third Age. You are brilliant - Madeleine Fane
- Great presentation and explanation. That's why your opinion page in the Jewish Report is the first article I read. Interesting times ahead - Johnny Schwartz
- Thank you Paula. Excellent and informative! - Adene Davis
- You gave a very informative talk - Idafay Mervisthank
- Excellent presentation - Charles Silbert
- Outstanding, thank you - Arnold Urson
- Great sense of humour and authenticity. I was sitting on the edge of my chair, as often laughing as fighting tears from being touched deeply - Maya Patel
- Please get those books out of you, we'd love to read so much more of your stories and apply the lessons to our lives - Virginia Solomons
GRECIA GABRIEL, SECOND INNINGS LIFELONG LEARNING & ENGAGEMENT COMMUNITY
- “Thank you so much for giving an absolutely amazing talk about your 30 year career as a War Correspondent in the Middle East and beyond. Everyone was absolutely SPELLBOUND and they just LOVED you. You put it all over so easily and without a single note. Everyone admires your courage. It was a SPECTACULAR morning and you are held in great esteem by us all.”
- Your insights into media literacy, storytelling, and the responsibility that comes with communication were incredibly powerful and thought-provoking. I found the session deeply inspiring, especially as a young entrepreneur and creative navigating the importance of authentic storytelling in today’s world.