Germany (CNN Philippines, June 20) — Around 2,000 journalists gathered in Bonn, Germany for the annual Global Media Forum, where they tackled pressing challenges facing the media industry.
These challenges include false information and propaganda, threats to safety, and even the rise of artificial intelligence or AI.
\”We need to ask ourselves what we as journalists should do to overcome divisions, but also what our responsibilities are,\” Deutche Welle director-general Peter Limbourg said at the opening of the 16th Global Media Forum.
Limbourg also advised journalists to harness social media’s power and make the most of its reach to fight for the truth, even when these platforms themselves pose a risk to their profession.
\”Journalists need to stop letting the algorithms of platforms set the agenda of their work,\” he said.
In one of the panel discussions, United Nations Head of Communications Melissa Flemming also highlighted the need to protect free and independent media amid these challenges.
“We just need to all advocate for protection of journalists freedom of the media and press governments. We need more funding for independent media around the world working in precarious situation,” Flemming said.
Journalists face difficult circumstances in 70% of countries across the globe, according to Hendrik Wüst, Minister President of the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
“Around the world, countless journalists are victims of despotism and violence. Things are not good for the freedom of the press in the world,” Wüst said.
Additionally, he said that even while AI poses a threat to media, journalists will continue to perform a key function that AI cannot.
“Journalists cannot be replaced. They are driven by attitude and hunger for freedom. They are guided by guidelines which AI cannot have,” Wüst added.
