The 2016 Global Media Forum
From 13 to 15 June 2016, the 9th Deutsche Welle (DW) Global Media Forum, which is supported by the Federal Foreign Office, will be taking place in Bonn. In our interview, DW Director General Peter Limbourg talks about the values of international media systems and explains how DW deals with current circumstances.
Mr Limbourg, “Media. Freedom. Values” is the theme of the 2016 Global Media Forum. This covers quite a broad spectrum – what is the specific focus?
First and foremost, the 2016 Global Media Forum will be exploring the question of which values are relevant in the global media systems. We are interested in issues such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Together with the participants, we will be discussing questions such as the following: Which values influence the work of media around the world? Are these Western or Eastern values? Which values do we wish to convey? Although Deutsche Welle is based in Germany, our attention is focused primarily on how our work should be perceived in the world. We want to be sure that this is also reflected in Germany. This is why the Global Media Forum brings people together from Germany and the world. It serves as an excellent forum for exchange, especially for journalists and media professionals.
Which values influence Deutsche Welle’s work?
Deutsche Welle’s work is based on the principles of tolerance, freedom of expression and exchange. For us, human rights are the highest priority. Unfortunately, however, this attitude is not all that widespread around the world, and this is something we will be discussing at the Global Media Forum. We want to engage in an exchange – also with those who hold different views. Of course, the Global Media Forum will also promote human rights as a fundamental value, part and parcel of which are rights to freedom and freedom of the press.
One key topic at this year’s forum will be censorship and access to information. What is the impact of digitisation and digital innovations on freedom of the press and expression?
In today’s age of globalisation and the Internet, there are numerous opportunities to obtain information – though also to obtain disinformation and false reports. Particularly in times of considerable uncertainty, the quality of information can be upheld by established brands. Naturally, users and viewers are ultimately free to decide for themselves what they believe and what they do not. Respectable providers of high-quality information are repeatedly the target of hostilities, with organisations and individuals attempting to discredit them or to spread propaganda. One must not allow oneself to be misled by this. In such times, Deutsche Welle tries to remain on track, providing information and quality journalism.
What has been Deutsche Welle’s experience worldwide when it comes to ensuring access to independent information?
In most regions of the world, we help influence the flow of information because we have a large number of regular users, fans and followers. As far as the availability of our information is concerned, however, we have bad experiences time and time again and in some cases are not able to reach our viewers and users as well as we would like to. For example, our website pages are blocked in some countries, such as China and Iran. For some time now, we have been able to equip our end users with special software which allows them to circumvent the restrictions – it is a constant game of cat and mouse with the authorities.
What role in all this is played by social media?
They have long ceased to be incidental, and are now pretty much just as important as conventional media. It would be in our interests to make greater use of them and in so doing to attract further users. The 2016 Global Media Forum will present and discuss exciting innovations in the social media and new forms of presentation.
Three days, more than 2,000 participants, and numerous workshops: those are the key figures for the 2016 Global Media Forum. Which part of the programme are you particularly looking forward to?
That is hard to say given the huge number of fascinating items on the agenda. However, one thing I am particularly looking forward to is that we are able to present the Freedom of Speech Award to Sedat Ergin, the Hürriyet’s editor-in-chief. We need much more intensive reporting on current media trends in Turkey than has been the case so far. It is not satirists in Germany we are interested in, but journalists who are under threat in Turkey.
9th Deutsche Welle (DW) Global Media Forum from 13 to 15 June 2016 in Bonn
On the topic of “Media. Freedom. Values.”, the ninth Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum at the World Conference Center in Bonn will be bringing media representatives together with actors from politics, culture, business, development cooperation and science with a view to finding solutions to challenges posed by globalisation. Applications to attend the 2016 Global Media Forum can be submitted via this link: www.dw.com/gmf/registration
