Bonn, Germany – June 23, 2026
The 19th Deutsche Welle Global Media Forum (GMF) opened today at the World Conference Center Bonn, bringing together more than 1,400 participants from over 100 countries under the motto “Journalism Out Loud.” The forum sets out to highlight the enduring value of independent journalism in an era increasingly dominated by digital platforms, artificial intelligence, and political pressures.
DW Director General Barbara Massing underscored the urgency of keeping journalism “audible” in a noisy world. “Credibility, factual accuracy, context, and long-term journalistic commitment pay off,” she said, stressing the need for sustainable business models that reward quality journalism. Massing also presented DW Akademie’s new meta-study “The Value of Journalism,” which demonstrates that every dollar invested in independent reporting can generate more than one hundred dollars in public value, while disinformation costs societies hundreds of billions annually.
North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Federal, European and Media Affairs, Nathanael Liminski, echoed the call for sustainability, warning that media diversity is at risk if journalism cannot remain economically viable. “Platforms that earn good money in Europe should also contribute fairly to the media ecosystem, from which they benefit,” he emphasized.
The opening panel, “Journalism Out Loud: Speaking Up for Independent Reporting,” featured Jodie Ginsberg (Committee to Protect Journalists), Turkish journalist Elif Akgül, Iranian journalist Hannah Kaviani, and Nigerian journalist Fisayo Soyombo, who shared perspectives on the pressures facing independent reporting in their regions. Sessions throughout the day examined journalism’s complex relationship with Big Tech, social media governance, and the future of news distribution.
The day concluded with the DW Freedom of Speech Award ceremony, honoring imprisoned Hong Kong media entrepreneur and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai. His daughter accepted the award on his behalf, with CPJ CEO Jodie Ginsberg delivering a tribute.
As AI reshapes the global information landscape, GMF26 positions itself as a vital platform for dialogue between media, policy, and technology leaders. Over two days, participants will explore how journalism can withstand censorship, engage new audiences, and strengthen investigative reporting — ensuring that independent voices remain not only heard, but indispensable to democracy and security.
Please follow DW Global Media Forum 2026 live on their official YT channel:
Comments (3)
Richardhog June 24, 2026
Test, message – Thank you!
ExoWatts July 2, 2026
Great content! Keep up the good work!
ICJ Team July 4, 2026
Thank you very much.