PAULA SLIER
prfessional speaking
- Reporting conflict
- Exposing disinformation
- Analysing Information Warfare
Making Sense of a Complex World
upcoming
speaking events
Monday 14 September 10am
ORT LEAD SA Seminar on “Trust” – JHB
November 17 evening
MC at the 90th anniversary dinner of ORT-JET – Johannesburg
21 July 10am
From Physical War Zones to the Information Battlefield Rosebank Union Church, JHB,
Powerful Stories from the Frontlines of Conflict, Crisis and Change
Drawing on more than three decades of reporting from the world’s most volatile conflict zones and global crises, and experience across more than 40 conflict zones, Paula Slier helps audiences navigate uncertainty, understand influence and make sense of a rapidly changing world.
From Boots on the Ground to Bots on the Screen
How does propaganda, artificial intelligence, and competing narratives shape what we believe?
Decoding the Leadership Battlefield
Leadership, trust, communication, and decision-making in high-pressure and rapidly changing information environments.
Behind the Frontline: The War You Don’t See
What can ordinary people teach us about courage, resilience and hope?
Fearless & Female: Breaking Barriers on the Frontline
What does it take to thrive in environments where you are underestimated, outnumbered or overlooked?
The Bullet I Didn’t Dodge: How I Lost Everything & Found Myself
What happens when the greatest threat isn’t the one you see coming? A deeply personal story of reinvention, resilience and rebuilding after betrayal and loss.
I was a shy university student with big dreams and very little confidence.
Decisions Under Fire
How do we make good decisions when information is incomplete and certainty is impossible?
Master of Ceremonies at several Eurasian Media Forums in Astana, Kazakhstan.
- The Middle East: Resolving conflicting interests – by diplomacy or conflict?
- Middle-Eastern Centre of gravity – clash of interests and forecast for the future.Arthur Denaro, former advisor to the Defence Ministry, UK
- Panelists included former Afghan president Hamid Karzai
DECEMBER 2025
Limmud FESTIVAL ONLINE
Hooked online: How teens get caught - and how to stay safe
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.
Inside Hamas's propaganda machine
From doctored footage to emotional appeals, Hamas has built one of the most effective propaganda machines of our time. War correspondent Paula Slier unpacks how Hamas brands itself as victim and victor, weaponised October 7th into a media campaign, and why these narratives resonate globally - with lessons for Israel and Jewish communities.
january 2026
UCT summer school
CLICKBAIT, CHAOS AND CREDIBILITY: HOW TO SPOT FAKE NEWS
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.
SAND, SWEAT AND SATELLITE PHONES: REPORTING WAR IN THE 21ST CENTURY
What does it mean to risk your life for a story – and what happens when the cameras stop rolling?
Taking the Stage Around the World
Ensuring Safety Protocols for Journalists”
- Panelist in OSCE 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?” 2017
- Addressed DIGIT – Online Journalism Conference – in Herzliya, Israel,
- Participated in the OSCE World Press Freedom Day conference in Jakarta, Indonesia
OSCE World Press Freedom Day
“Reporting on Peace and Conflict: Have the Rules Changed?”
- Addressed the Asia Media Summit in Qingdao, China, on
“Safety of Women Journalists”
- Addressed the Women with the Wave Forum of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union in Istanbul, Turkey
- Participate 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
international forums
Paula speaks regularly at leading international forums
She’s spoken at the Eurasia Media Forum, MENA Media Summit, Asia Media Summit of the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development, UNESCO’s World Press Freedom Days and the “Women With the Wave” series of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union.
She has participated in various working sessions of the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) dedicated to human rights and democracy for journalists in conflict zones. She also lectures and runs workshops on journalism safety at universities around the world.
The question is no longer, “Is this true?”
It’s: “Why am I seeing this? Why now?
And 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, SA
- "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 SA
Sheryl Benjamin, Organiser Limmud Shark Tank South Africa
- "There is absolutely no doubt that you were the main attraction at all three South African conferences”
- "It was clear to us that we had to reach out to you to present again. The feedback to your session on Sunday was wonderful.
Wayne Sussman, President Limmud SA
- "It was clear to us that we had to reach out to you to present again. The feedback to your session on Sunday was wonderful.
Di Lavery, International Women’s Club, SA
* Wayne Sussman, President Limmud South Africa
- You are brilliant. - Madeleine Fane
- Great articulate talk Paula. you're a star - Sheryl Benjamin
- Hi Paula, 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 a very informative talk. - Idafay Mervisthank
- Excellent presentation - Charles Silbert
- Outstanding, thank you - Arnold Urson
- Paula, it is without a doubt that your presence on the programme really added to the value of what we were offering and attracted people from all over the community.”
- “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
- “Paula puts herself on the “front line” of every lecture she presents and handles the most challenging of subject matters with wit and sensitivity! A consummate professional with the challenges faced in our world today!”
Eric De Gray / Cruise Director / Azamara Pursuit Cruise Line
Grecia Gabriel / Co-ordinator / Second Innings lifelong learning and 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”
- “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.”