'Democracy didn't fall from the sky,' says Baerbock in Bonn
Henry-Laur Allik
Talking to journalists, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the need to protect democracy at DW's Global Media Forum in Bonn on Monday.
She spoke about how some of the aspects of open societies that people previously took for granted — such as equal rights for all genders or abortion rights — were now being disputed by certain political actors.
She also talked of the dangers for journalists around the world. "Where press freedom is under pressure, freedom itself is in danger for all citizens," she said.
"This is a crucial year for democracy," agreed Ressa, describing 2024 as a potential "tipping point" for the rules-based international order. "71% of the world is now under authoritarian rule. [Democracy] is slipping, our window to act is closing, but it is still there."
Henry-Laur Allik
DW
Talking to journalists, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock highlighted the need to protect democracy at DW's Global Media Forum in Bonn on Monday.
Annalena Baerbock (left), Maria Ressa (center) and Scovia Culton Nakamya (right) spoke at the Global Media Forum in Bonn on Monday.
Image: Ayse Tasci/DW
A panel formed by the German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, the Filipino-US Nobel-Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa and Ugandan journalist and media entrepreneur Scovia Culton Nakamy at DW's annual Global Media Forum in the western German city of Bonn, focused on the power of democracy. The participants discussed what political and social processes were needed to make societies and democracies more resilient and how diverse voices could become more visible across the media landscape.
"Democracy didn't fall from the sky," Baerbock told the audience. "We have to protect it."
A panel formed by the German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock, the Filipino-US Nobel-Prize-winning journalist Maria Ressa and Ugandan journalist and media entrepreneur Scovia Culton Nakamy at DW's annual Global Media Forum in the western German city of Bonn, focused on the power of democracy. The participants discussed what political and social processes were needed to make societies and democracies more resilient and how diverse voices could become more visible across the media landscape.
"Democracy didn't fall from the sky," Baerbock told the audience. "We have to protect it."
Baerbock at Global Media Forum: Journalism is under pressure 02:41
She spoke about how some of the aspects of open societies that people previously took for granted — such as equal rights for all genders or abortion rights — were now being disputed by certain political actors.
She also talked of the dangers for journalists around the world. "Where press freedom is under pressure, freedom itself is in danger for all citizens," she said.
"This is a crucial year for democracy," agreed Ressa, describing 2024 as a potential "tipping point" for the rules-based international order. "71% of the world is now under authoritarian rule. [Democracy] is slipping, our window to act is closing, but it is still there."
DW's Global Media Forum 2024 kicked off on Monday with talks about democracy and journalism
Image: Philipp Böll/DW
Baerbock, Ressa and Nakamya, the founder of Her Story Uganda, also spoke about online harassment directed specifically at women.
Baerbock recounted how she had had to deal with sexualized harassment online, which included faked pictures, before becoming foreign minister. She said that she had ignored it thinking this was the only course of action, but when she met other high-profile women who had been targeted similarly, she understood how insidious this kind of harassment was.
"The yardstick of women's rights is a crucial one," Baerbock explained, adding that if women were in danger, it was a bad omen for the whole society.
Media industry under pressure
This year's annual Global Media Forum which brings together more than 1,500 political and media leaders, journalists, academics and other participants from across the globe, kicked off on Monday at the World Conference Center in Bonn.
2024's theme, "Sharing solutions," centers around topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism and democracy, how to report on conflicts, how to ensure the safety of journalists, misinformation and how to combat it, as well as internet censorship, which aims to suppress quality journalism.
"Even in dark times, optimism is the better way of handling it, because pessimists normally do not contribute to solutions. Let's share solutions and ideas and enjoy the company of great people at the GMF," said DW Director General Peter Limbourg as he opened the DW Global Media Forum's 17th edition.
In an opening video message, the leader of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, stressed the critical role of promoting media literacy in the digital age.
"Digitalization, with its rapidly growing and fast-evolving information capabilities, is both an opportunity and a challenge," Wüst said. "Many people find it difficult to distinguish between true and false information, highlighting the need for media literacy."
Baerbock, Ressa and Nakamya, the founder of Her Story Uganda, also spoke about online harassment directed specifically at women.
Baerbock recounted how she had had to deal with sexualized harassment online, which included faked pictures, before becoming foreign minister. She said that she had ignored it thinking this was the only course of action, but when she met other high-profile women who had been targeted similarly, she understood how insidious this kind of harassment was.
"The yardstick of women's rights is a crucial one," Baerbock explained, adding that if women were in danger, it was a bad omen for the whole society.
Media industry under pressure
This year's annual Global Media Forum which brings together more than 1,500 political and media leaders, journalists, academics and other participants from across the globe, kicked off on Monday at the World Conference Center in Bonn.
2024's theme, "Sharing solutions," centers around topics such as the impact of artificial intelligence on journalism and democracy, how to report on conflicts, how to ensure the safety of journalists, misinformation and how to combat it, as well as internet censorship, which aims to suppress quality journalism.
"Even in dark times, optimism is the better way of handling it, because pessimists normally do not contribute to solutions. Let's share solutions and ideas and enjoy the company of great people at the GMF," said DW Director General Peter Limbourg as he opened the DW Global Media Forum's 17th edition.
In an opening video message, the leader of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, stressed the critical role of promoting media literacy in the digital age.
"Digitalization, with its rapidly growing and fast-evolving information capabilities, is both an opportunity and a challenge," Wüst said. "Many people find it difficult to distinguish between true and false information, highlighting the need for media literacy."
DW Director General Peter Limbourg opened the Global Media Forum 2024 and spoke about journalists' responsibility to use AI responsably
Image: Philipp Böll/DW
Limbourg further emphasized the dual-edged impact of AI on the media and the importance of human agency: "Not only is the digital world changing journalism, but artificial intelligence is poised to shake it up even more. This presents a significant opportunity for our industry if we leverage technology ethically, using it as a supportive tool rather than a replacement."
He continued that true progress is not achieved when machines alone produce content or set the news agenda.
"AI can assist, but crucial decisions in journalism must always be made by humans," Limbourg said. "Human oversight is key to mitigating AI-related misinformation. As journalists, we must embrace AI responsibly to maintain public trust, ensure accuracy in reporting and support democracy."
Additional reporting by Cathrin Schaer.
Limbourg further emphasized the dual-edged impact of AI on the media and the importance of human agency: "Not only is the digital world changing journalism, but artificial intelligence is poised to shake it up even more. This presents a significant opportunity for our industry if we leverage technology ethically, using it as a supportive tool rather than a replacement."
He continued that true progress is not achieved when machines alone produce content or set the news agenda.
"AI can assist, but crucial decisions in journalism must always be made by humans," Limbourg said. "Human oversight is key to mitigating AI-related misinformation. As journalists, we must embrace AI responsibly to maintain public trust, ensure accuracy in reporting and support democracy."
Additional reporting by Cathrin Schaer.
DW
Media users are more aware of the dangers of disinformation. They know about generative AI and they're searching for trusted sources, journalists at DW's Global Media Forum in Bonn said. But is it enough?
Disinformation is acknowledged as one of journalism's, if not the democratic world's, biggest problems. Fake news and misleading visuals have deepened social division and interfered with elections, as well as having other destructive aspects. And generative artificial intelligence, or AI, where, for example, advanced computing allows users to make a minutes-long video from one photograph of a politician, is only about to make things worse.
However at DW's annual Global Media Forum (GMF) in Bonn there was some unexpectedly positive news regarding the increase and spread of disinformation.
People are much more conscious of it, Renate Nikolay, deputy director-general for communications networks, content and technology at the European Commission, told delegates at the international conference on Monday.
"If you look at where we were five years ago, people are so much more aware these days," Nikolay said, citing the various awareness and information campaigns that European Union counties have undertaken. "Just informing people that, watch out, there might be disinformation, has had a really important effect," she argued.
Renate Nikolay (left), deputy director-general for communications networks at the European Commission spoke on a panel with DW director Peter Limbourg (far right)
More knowledge of 'fake news'
Nikolay was not the only expert to have noticed this. Representatives from a diverse set of media outlets attending the GMF also remarked on growing awareness of disinformation.
That is supported by research in the Reuters Institute's 2024 Digital News Report, released this week. Around 59% of people are worried about what's real and what's fake, the report said. People are also increasingly worried about the use of AI to create "fake news" related to politics or conflicts and are particularly concerned about how to recognize untrustworthy content on platforms such as TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
For some of the GMF delegates, this has actually translated to an opportunity. "I think people [now] have to differentiate between propaganda and factual, professional news," Tom Rhodes, a veteran journalist and editor based in East Africa, who manages Sudan's Ayin Media. As a result of that search for trusted sources, Rhodes said their audience reach had been "skyrocketing."
Image: Philipp Böll/DW
More knowledge of 'fake news'
Nikolay was not the only expert to have noticed this. Representatives from a diverse set of media outlets attending the GMF also remarked on growing awareness of disinformation.
That is supported by research in the Reuters Institute's 2024 Digital News Report, released this week. Around 59% of people are worried about what's real and what's fake, the report said. People are also increasingly worried about the use of AI to create "fake news" related to politics or conflicts and are particularly concerned about how to recognize untrustworthy content on platforms such as TikTok and X (formerly Twitter).
For some of the GMF delegates, this has actually translated to an opportunity. "I think people [now] have to differentiate between propaganda and factual, professional news," Tom Rhodes, a veteran journalist and editor based in East Africa, who manages Sudan's Ayin Media. As a result of that search for trusted sources, Rhodes said their audience reach had been "skyrocketing."
Tom Rhodes of Sudanese outlet, Ayin Media
Image: Ayse Tasci/DW
"Our audience see us as something they can trust," he explained.
Impact on elections
"Kenyans learned a lot during the last elections," added Emmanuel Chenze, chief operating officer of the pan-African investigative journalism outlet, Africa Uncensored, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
For example, during the 2017 elections Kenya was infamously used as a test case for how social media could influence politics by the now defunct and disgraced British consultancy, Cambridge Analytica. "They [media users] didn't know what it was then but they do now," Chenze pointed out.
Similar things happened in Taiwan, said Bay Fang, chief executive officer of the Washington-based outlet, Radio Free Asia. Chinese misinformation around the Taiwan elections didn't work as well recently because Taiwanese voters had already seen a lot of it during the last election. "And they had learned from that," she noted.
"[In India] audiences are beginning to look far more carefully for trusted sources in a very crowded media environment," added Anant Goenka, executive director of the Indian Express Group.
"Our audience see us as something they can trust," he explained.
Impact on elections
"Kenyans learned a lot during the last elections," added Emmanuel Chenze, chief operating officer of the pan-African investigative journalism outlet, Africa Uncensored, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
For example, during the 2017 elections Kenya was infamously used as a test case for how social media could influence politics by the now defunct and disgraced British consultancy, Cambridge Analytica. "They [media users] didn't know what it was then but they do now," Chenze pointed out.
Similar things happened in Taiwan, said Bay Fang, chief executive officer of the Washington-based outlet, Radio Free Asia. Chinese misinformation around the Taiwan elections didn't work as well recently because Taiwanese voters had already seen a lot of it during the last election. "And they had learned from that," she noted.
"[In India] audiences are beginning to look far more carefully for trusted sources in a very crowded media environment," added Anant Goenka, executive director of the Indian Express Group.
Goenka's media group publishes several different newspapers online and in print in various local languages
Image: Ayse Tasci/DW
"The top 10 or 20 newspapers in India have really benefitted from that because people are very aware of where they consume their news now, which wasn't the case three or four years ago. Credibility is our main asset," he stated.
That's also impacted how his journalists deal with AI-related issues. "When it comes to AI, we decided to compromise on the speed in order to get it right," he said. This was so as not to let technology damage their reputation for trustworthy reporting.
Is a smarter audience enough?
Potentially renewed enthusiasm for trusted sources and professional journalism may be an unexpected byproduct of troubling misinformation. But there's still plenty of work to do, argued another of the speakers at the Global Media Forum, freelance technology consultant Madhav Chinnappa.
"Tech is a tool," the former director of news ecosystem development at Google told the audience. "It's not good. It's not bad. It's how you use it. That is just the way it's going to be and we need to acknowledge that."
When it comes to audiences becoming savvier and more skeptical about misinformation and unreal AI-generated content, it's also important to acknowledge there is no single audience, Chinnappa told DW on the sidelines of the GMF. "Any one individual could be well versed on this, or distinctly not [well versed]," he explained. "For me the foundational element is more media literacy for everybody."
Madhav Chinnappa, who has worked for Google and the BBC, spoke at DW's Global Media Forum in BonnImage: Björn Kietzmann/DW
Chinnappa recounted how he too had recently been taken in by an AI-generated video clip recently and that the most worrying thing is what he calls the "good enough" content — that is, fake AI-generated content that still has the signs of a fake (if you look more closely) but that manages to fool most people. This leads to a slow erosion of trust.
In that sense, media literacy is fundamental, Chinnappa concluded. "I live in London and there all the kids are taught how to be safe online. I think they should also be being taught how to be smart online, how to think critically about the information they're getting."
Cathrin Schaer Author for the Middle East desk.
"The top 10 or 20 newspapers in India have really benefitted from that because people are very aware of where they consume their news now, which wasn't the case three or four years ago. Credibility is our main asset," he stated.
That's also impacted how his journalists deal with AI-related issues. "When it comes to AI, we decided to compromise on the speed in order to get it right," he said. This was so as not to let technology damage their reputation for trustworthy reporting.
Is a smarter audience enough?
Potentially renewed enthusiasm for trusted sources and professional journalism may be an unexpected byproduct of troubling misinformation. But there's still plenty of work to do, argued another of the speakers at the Global Media Forum, freelance technology consultant Madhav Chinnappa.
"Tech is a tool," the former director of news ecosystem development at Google told the audience. "It's not good. It's not bad. It's how you use it. That is just the way it's going to be and we need to acknowledge that."
When it comes to audiences becoming savvier and more skeptical about misinformation and unreal AI-generated content, it's also important to acknowledge there is no single audience, Chinnappa told DW on the sidelines of the GMF. "Any one individual could be well versed on this, or distinctly not [well versed]," he explained. "For me the foundational element is more media literacy for everybody."
Madhav Chinnappa, who has worked for Google and the BBC, spoke at DW's Global Media Forum in BonnImage: Björn Kietzmann/DWChinnappa recounted how he too had recently been taken in by an AI-generated video clip recently and that the most worrying thing is what he calls the "good enough" content — that is, fake AI-generated content that still has the signs of a fake (if you look more closely) but that manages to fool most people. This leads to a slow erosion of trust.
In that sense, media literacy is fundamental, Chinnappa concluded. "I live in London and there all the kids are taught how to be safe online. I think they should also be being taught how to be smart online, how to think critically about the information they're getting."
Cathrin Schaer Author for the Middle East desk.
DW's Global Media Forum 2024: Media industry under pressure
In a pre-recorded greeting, Premier Hendrik Wüst — the head of government for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the forum's host state — admitted that Germany, itself, is not immune to some of these problems: "Here, too, radical forces are fighting the freedom and independence of press and broadcasters. Those who oppose our democracy deny the facts. They rely on fake news and lies, on stirring up emotions, on hatred and incitement. We must counter that with the power of argument, with the courage to argue, and with passion for freedom and democracy." The GMF offers a perfect platform for exchange, says Wüst.
Many positive examples
Journalists also say that some users are feeling overwhelmed by information — especially negative news — due to the flood of media offerings, a topic that will also be addressed at the GMF. The deluge of problems might make media representatives feel overwhelmed. But there will also be many examples of positive action presented by global professionals at GMF.
For example, Maria Ressa, who is a journalist from the Philippines. She fights disinformation via Rappler, her online news organization. Ressa received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her "efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace." Another example is Moky Makura, a Nigerian journalist and publicist: through her organization, Africa No Filter, she questions harmful and clichéd narratives about Africa, while highlighting the continent's achievements and opportunities. And yet another example is Nada Bashir, a CNN reporter: she has made a name for herself through her reports on the wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine.
The GMF will include a great variety of lectures and discussions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is due to deliver a keynote speech, which will be followed by a debate on "The Power of Democracy." Former South African Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs will speak on the issue of: "From Controversy to Compromise — the Search for Common Ground in Polarized Times." The sensitive topic of how journalists can appropriately report on the Middle East conflict will also be addressed.
AI is changing many things — for better and worse
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important subject, especially in the media sector. It opens up vast new possibilities for media — for instance, the ability to research. But it also opens up tremendous risks for expoitation.
"This development is irreversible," says Benjamin Pargan. "Media entities should be helping to shape things, rather than opposing them. But at the same time, they should be correctly assessing and classifying the opportunities and risks. We want our discussions with colleagues from around the world to highlight examples of best practice, and to have frank exchanges, so that we will be able to define both the opportunities, and the risks."
But the implementation of AI is also dividing the world. AI can potentially "turn our media system upside down. It can destroy business models, promote disinformation, and undermine trust in society," according to the GMF program. But AI can also be used to increase access to information and digital participation." The GMF would also like to spotlight how people in the global south can profit from the benefits of artificial intelligence.
The Global Media Forum presents a vision of the future in a video, that says: "Imagine a world of freedom of speech and press, and free access to information for all." Then, people are encouraged to: "Stop dreaming! Let's act! At the DW Global Media Forum in Bonn. Participants from all around the world want to share their solutions with us, and shape the journalism of tomorrow! Get involved!"
This article was originally written in German.
June 16, 2024
At DW's upcoming Global Media Forum, participants from around the world will discuss threats to journalists, disinformation, and how artificial intelligence is changing things.
At DW's upcoming Global Media Forum, participants from around the world will discuss threats to journalists, disinformation, and how artificial intelligence is changing things.
Germany's foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, gave the keynote address at the Global Media Forum 2024.
Image: Björn Kietzmann/DW
"Sharing Solutions" is the motto of DW's 2024 edition of the Global Media Forum. Around 1,500 media professionals from over 100 countries — including many in the global south — will gather together from June 17–18th in Bonn. The goal will be to identify solutions to the pressing questions facing journalism and media today, around the world.
DW Events Manager Benjamin Pargan outlines the forum's main points, which include: the safety of media professionals — physical, psychological, legal or economic; election reporting — because elections in India, the EU and the US, for example, are turning 2024 into a global "super election" year; how to deal with disinformation campaigns; and how the rapid development of artificial intelligence is affecting journalists' daily work.
Media facing pressure from many sides
Pargan says that free, balanced reporting is now experiencing multifaceted pressures: "There are state actors who want to damage trust in the media and journalists. Populist and extremist political parties also view high quality media as enemies — and they are deliberately trying to destroy trust in them." In addition, he says, topics such as technological developments, economic pressures and the constant danger that journalists face in war zones, will all be part of the forum discussions.
"Sharing Solutions" is the motto of DW's 2024 edition of the Global Media Forum. Around 1,500 media professionals from over 100 countries — including many in the global south — will gather together from June 17–18th in Bonn. The goal will be to identify solutions to the pressing questions facing journalism and media today, around the world.
DW Events Manager Benjamin Pargan outlines the forum's main points, which include: the safety of media professionals — physical, psychological, legal or economic; election reporting — because elections in India, the EU and the US, for example, are turning 2024 into a global "super election" year; how to deal with disinformation campaigns; and how the rapid development of artificial intelligence is affecting journalists' daily work.
Media facing pressure from many sides
Pargan says that free, balanced reporting is now experiencing multifaceted pressures: "There are state actors who want to damage trust in the media and journalists. Populist and extremist political parties also view high quality media as enemies — and they are deliberately trying to destroy trust in them." In addition, he says, topics such as technological developments, economic pressures and the constant danger that journalists face in war zones, will all be part of the forum discussions.
Maria Ressa: AI, deep fakes 'threaten democracy' 06:51
In a pre-recorded greeting, Premier Hendrik Wüst — the head of government for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the forum's host state — admitted that Germany, itself, is not immune to some of these problems: "Here, too, radical forces are fighting the freedom and independence of press and broadcasters. Those who oppose our democracy deny the facts. They rely on fake news and lies, on stirring up emotions, on hatred and incitement. We must counter that with the power of argument, with the courage to argue, and with passion for freedom and democracy." The GMF offers a perfect platform for exchange, says Wüst.
Many positive examples
Journalists also say that some users are feeling overwhelmed by information — especially negative news — due to the flood of media offerings, a topic that will also be addressed at the GMF. The deluge of problems might make media representatives feel overwhelmed. But there will also be many examples of positive action presented by global professionals at GMF.
For example, Maria Ressa, who is a journalist from the Philippines. She fights disinformation via Rappler, her online news organization. Ressa received the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize for her "efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace." Another example is Moky Makura, a Nigerian journalist and publicist: through her organization, Africa No Filter, she questions harmful and clichéd narratives about Africa, while highlighting the continent's achievements and opportunities. And yet another example is Nada Bashir, a CNN reporter: she has made a name for herself through her reports on the wars in the Gaza Strip and Ukraine.
The GMF will include a great variety of lectures and discussions. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is due to deliver a keynote speech, which will be followed by a debate on "The Power of Democracy." Former South African Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs will speak on the issue of: "From Controversy to Compromise — the Search for Common Ground in Polarized Times." The sensitive topic of how journalists can appropriately report on the Middle East conflict will also be addressed.
AI is changing many things — for better and worse
Artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important subject, especially in the media sector. It opens up vast new possibilities for media — for instance, the ability to research. But it also opens up tremendous risks for expoitation.
"This development is irreversible," says Benjamin Pargan. "Media entities should be helping to shape things, rather than opposing them. But at the same time, they should be correctly assessing and classifying the opportunities and risks. We want our discussions with colleagues from around the world to highlight examples of best practice, and to have frank exchanges, so that we will be able to define both the opportunities, and the risks."
But the implementation of AI is also dividing the world. AI can potentially "turn our media system upside down. It can destroy business models, promote disinformation, and undermine trust in society," according to the GMF program. But AI can also be used to increase access to information and digital participation." The GMF would also like to spotlight how people in the global south can profit from the benefits of artificial intelligence.
The Global Media Forum presents a vision of the future in a video, that says: "Imagine a world of freedom of speech and press, and free access to information for all." Then, people are encouraged to: "Stop dreaming! Let's act! At the DW Global Media Forum in Bonn. Participants from all around the world want to share their solutions with us, and shape the journalism of tomorrow! Get involved!"
This article was originally written in German.
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