Who actually has the Power in media, politics and society? In participants from all over the world want to discuss in the twelfth DW-media conference in Bonn, Germany.
The Global Media Forum in 2018 in the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB)
It’s that time again: From the 27. up to the 28. In may, the Deutsche Welle (DW) invites to the Global Media Forum World Conference Center Bonn. This year’s theme is the now the largest international media conference in Germany, is “Shifting Powers”, so power shifts. Because in many places, is also marked by the increasing digitalisation of terms – the relationship between media, politics and society in transition.
DW Director General Peter Limbourg
“Populists of all sides of the spectrum are a threat to the integrity of Europe,” says DW Director General Peter Limbourg. “The control of information has become an instrument of power.” At the same time, many politicians spread their own messages about the control of state media, or by means of disinformation in social networks. “Freedom of expression is threatened.”
How to develop the “love-hate relationship between the media and politics”?
For such a fundamental change in processes, the two-day, English-speaking Global Media Forum is to create more awareness, “Together with many international media, with supporters and partners, we will set new accents and a lot of attention to produce artists,” says Limbourg.
Thus, Federal President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier live will be turned on, and the conference, along with the DW-Director open. Then it goes in the first Panel about how the media landscape is changing, and wherein in the process, both risks and opportunities. With, among other things, the influence of the co-founder of the India Today Group, Aroon Purie, rich, and Mark Peters of Google. The head of the Axel-Springer publishing house, Mathias Döpfner, and the American Digital pioneer Jaron Lanier will hold keynote speeches.
On the second day of the Global Media forum, the Whole is rotated, and the “love-hate relationship between the media and politics” looked. Can Dündar, a former editor-in-chief of the Turkish newspaper Cumhuriyet, will discuss with Georg Mascolo, the head of the research group of the NDR, WDR and süddeutsche Zeitung, and other guests, in which direction this relationship is developed.
Artificial intelligence, local journalism and African Stereotypes
At the media conference with over 2000 participants from 140 countries, and around 70 individual events, it’s supposed to go, but also to other topics, such as, for example, the future of local journalism. In one of the Panels, are positive examples that show that, despite the far-reaching crisis of the local reporting is also different.
With the theme of “Artificial intelligence” (AI) will deal in a panel discussion, among other things, Joachim Köhler of the Fraunhofer Institute (IAIS) and the lawyer and activist, Nanjira Sambuli from the Web Foundation in Kenya. Because KI is also, and especially in the media sector on the rise. This raises the question: How Algorithms, translation software, and chat bots are changing the work of media professionals?
As harbingers of a new Era of Artificial intelligence, robots on the Global Media Forum, you can’t miss, among other things, the humanoid robot, Sophia, will say a few words to the conference participants.
Sophia mimics human Gestures and facial Expressions and can run on pre-defined themes with simple conversations
In addition, lectures and Workshops of partner organisations, it is a question of how migrants in times of populism can make their voices heard, such as lawyers and politicians with Hate Speech can handle, and what is the role of investigative journalism today.
In addition, there is still more network Events than in the past, reported Verica Spasovska, is the content of the GMF such background calls for special target groups, and speed Dating. “New is also the exclusive day of the Workshop for the more than two hundred Fellows, who are invited by the Federal Foreign office is” – this takes place after the official program.
Also the art has to show your space at this year’s Global Media Forum, among others with the photo exhibition of the project “Everyday Africa”, in the 30 international photographers perspectives beyond the common African Stereotypes.
A ballet dancer in a Slum of Nairobi – photos like this to show a different side of the continent
Freedom of Speech Award to Anabel Hernández
One of the highlights of the conference was the awarding of the DW Freedom of Speech Award this year. The price will take the Mexican Anabel Hernández. In the meanwhile, from her home escaped militant journalist receives the award for their fight against corruption, cover-up and impunity in Mexico.
The main partner of the Global Media forum in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is next to the Federal foreign office for this year. Due to the increased support the format of the event is to be even stronger in “international actors, media experts and Media leaders together to bring,” said North Rhine-Westphalia’s Prime Minister, Armin Laschet, will also occur again on the GMF. NRW support the DW, “to make the Global Media Forum of the leading media conference”.
By the way: if you can’t make it to Bonn, can follow the Global Media Forum Live Stream, which will be supplemented this year with additional news and exclusive Interviews. Also on the Twitter and Facebook Account of the event, you can keep up to date.