https://gmf-event.com/event/program
https://corporate.dw.com/en/gmf26-concludes-press-freedom-trust-and-inno...
Step into the DW Global Media Forum in Bonn!
Join an event where bold ideas take center stage; diverse voices spark conversations and journalists make a real impact.
Connect with media professionals, changemakers, and thought leaders from around the world; explore new perspectives and push the boundaries of storytelling – and gain tools to make the work easier.
During the conference, DW and re:publica, Europe’s leading digital conference, signed a memorandum of understanding to deepen their cooperation. Both partners aim to raise the international profile of innovation and forward-looking solutions.
The two-day program saw journalists, media and civil society leaders from around the world discuss how journalism can remain resilient. It explored how journalism is adapting to a rapidly changing media landscape – from AI, disinformation and digital censorship to journalist safety, media sustainability and the growing influence of Big Tech. Participants also examined how news organizations can rebuild public trust, reach fragmented audiences and respond to mounting political pressure and authoritarian repression. Freedom, trust and dialogue The global state of freedom of expression was a recurring theme throughout the forum. Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, who joined the Forum via video link, highlighted the challenges posed by dwindling press freedom, financial difficulties of the media, substantial claims for damages against media organisations, and especially attacks on journalists. “I am very, very concerned and very determined that we have to end impunity for attacks on journalists. We have to recognize journalism as a vital aspect of democracy and investment. Journalists never want to be in the news, they want to make news. But this is a subject that has to be in the news.” The role of journalism in fostering dialogue and social cohesion was also explored in a discussion on interfaith relations. Participants, including Lutheran pastor Sally Azar from Jerusalem, Bosnian researcher Dževada Garić and Pinchas Goldschmidt, President of the Conference of European Rabbis, examined how media can help bridge divides amid growing polarization. “I think in terms of the interfaith dialogue, journalism can do a lot to bring back a common narrative and to help all the different faiths to sit down at one table and to discuss what is happening, what should happen and how we can build the future together with all of us sitting in one room.", Goldschmidt said. DW and re:publica strengthen cooperation Questions of pluralism, representation and democratic participation featured prominently in several German-language sessions. Andreas Gebhard, CEO and co-founder of the digital conference re:publica Berlin, joined a discussion on how media organizations can amplify marginalized voices, foster democratic dialogue and uphold editorial standards in an increasingly polarized environment. “We all need media and a basic communication infrastructure, that is not owned by just a few,” Gebhard said. “We have seen in the last four to five years how important it is for an open society that access to communication tools is not controlled by only a few.” The discussion comes as DW and the digital conference re:publica deepen their cooperation, with both organizations signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday. The growing influence of technology platforms on journalism was another focus. Dr. Eckart von Hirschhausen of the Foundation Gesunde Erde – Gesunde Menschen discussed how news organizations can harness technological innovation while maintaining editorial independence and reducing platform dependency. Press freedom under pressure Among the key moments of the forum was the Freedom of Speech Award ceremony, which honored detained Hong Kong entrepreneur Jimmy Lai for his unwavering commitment to press freedom and democratic advocacy in Hong Kong. His daughter Claire Lai accepted the award on his behalf. Questions of press freedom and journalistic resilience remained central throughout the program. Sessions examined media systems and reporting conditions in regions under pressure, including Iran, Syria, Ukraine, Sudan, West Africa and the Black Sea region. Drawing on their experiences of independent reporting in Iran and Türkiye, journalists Hannah Kaviani and Elif Akgül reflected on how journalists withstand growing political pressure, censorship and authoritarian influence. The 19th Global Media Forum brought together more than 1,400 participants from over 100 countries who took part in discussions, workshops and networking events in Bonn. The 20th edition of DW's Global Media Forum will be held on June 22-23, 2027. Press photos for Day 1 (including the Freedom of Speech Award ceremony) and Day 2. About DW Global Media Forum
The annual DW Global Media Forum provides a unique interdisciplinary platform for media professionals and decision-makers from politics, civil society, culture, education, business, and science worldwide to exchange ideas and learn from each other. The Global Media Forum is supported by the Federal Foreign Office, the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, the Foundation for International Dialogue of the Sparkasse in Bonn, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Commissioner of the Federal Government for Culture and Media, and the City of Bonn. Find out more at dw.com/gmf
