By Our Correspondent
On June 17 and 18, 2024 DW’s annual conference will pursue ways to build stronger foundations for journalism in volatile times. We will seek solutions to master the major trials and tribulations in media, together. Digital attacks against free speech Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are building blocks for all democratic societies. But with the intensifying onrush of both misinformation and disinformation, lies seem to have become the preferred currency of online information today. The world order as we know it is under pressure at every turn: Democracy is on the defensive amid rising authoritarianism; bloody conflicts are costing countless lives around the globe and the effects of the climate catastrophe have become more than tangible. In addition to all this, journalism also has to address a growing number of problems in its own right — from the meteoric rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to the public’s dwindling trust in news.
The risk of succumbing to not only the increasing burden but also to resignation is becoming dangerously real amid the intensifying obstacle course we are all facing. But what solutions are there to get us out of this permanent crisis mode? How can we work together to secure the future of our profession, avoid the pitfalls of apathy and instead, seek solutions and strategies out of this state of affairs? Sharing solutions From June 17 – 18, 2024, media professionals from more than 120 countries will join decisionmakers from civil society and the worlds of politics, culture, education, business, and science from around the globe in Bonn, seeking and Sharing solutions —he official theme of the DW Global Media Forum 2024.
DW’s Director General Peter Limbourg (r.) takes great pride in the Global Media Forum, referring to it as one his greatest highlights of the year. Hosted once again at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB), former seat of the German parliament, the forum will offer a dynamic platform for interaction, exchange, workshops and networking for the roughly 2,000 annual participants and 150+ speakers. Since 2008, the DW Global Media Forum has been offering a unique interdisciplinary platform for media professionals to learn from each other as part of an intercultural and exiled Turkish journalist Can Dundar was among the speakers of the DW Global Media Forum 2023 AI and deep-fakes are now adding to these challenges with their potential to manipulate the very fabric of our reality. Against this backdrop, journalists continue to face accusations of intentionally controlling the news agenda.
How can journalists best navigate the course towards trust and truth — and how can we use these new technologies in our favor? How do we confront future challenges brought on by technology and social trends? And what messages of hope are there to be found amid this onslaught of bad news, both on and off-screen. Where the future of journalism takes shape. In this current climate of distrust and isolationism, the idea of democratic participation as a social imperative is also facing new challenges. Even on social media, people are growing less involved politically, while extremist positions are gaining traction. How can the political participation of citizens be strengthened at all levels — local, national and international — and what role can journalism play to that end? How can the safety of both citizens and reporters be ensured in such a volatile digital landscape? Nobel Laureate Maria Ressa was among the 2022 attendants of the DW Global Media Forum This is why another focus of the DW Global Media Forum 2024 will be on the physical, psychological and legal wellbeing and safety of media professionals as well as on their economic sustainability.
How can the media and other players create a safer environment and more secure structures for journalists in times of crisis? We believe that only a constructive approach can solve these challenges, with an emphasis on best practices and hands-on advice. These are just some of the main topics we will be highlighting: Artificial — and intelligent Chat GPT and Midjourney are yesterday’s andAI is here to stay. But what exactly is the next frontier in the world of Artificial Intelligence? How can journalists benefit from machine learning tools rather than worrying about the security of their jobs? What impact will AI have on future elections? And how reliablle are laws and regulations around the globe that are designed to ensure that the proverbial robot apocalypse does not happen? Perpetual war for perpetual peace? Journalists covering news from war zones have become a ubiquitous sight, and not only on the daily news. But is this part of our new reality as reporters in general?
Is everyone, to some extent, a war correspondent, as conflicts now inform political decisions around the world? Is security training enough to cope in hostile environments, or do news organizations need to do more? You can expect lively debates, heated interactions and insightful moments at the DW Global Media Forum. The World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB) is flanked by the UN Campus in Bonn and the headquarters of Deutsche Welle (DW) ■
Thanks very much DW for bringing Journalists together on such aspects more so Politics and covering war areas
Hello there, this is a great idea and way to improve journalism and basic reporting.
What criteria is followed by someone to be part of that conference?
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