Diversity vs. division: how news organizations can promote inclusion

Populists seek to establish a sense of order in the world by delivering simplistic solutions to the many complexities of the modern world. They create further division by also establishing would-be enemies as a response to conflicting circumstances.

In their effort to simplify and change the narrative, they weaken confidence in the government and rule of law, feeding off the degradation of those they victimize as misfits and underdogs. This strategy also promotes increasing mistrust in society, leading to xenophobia, racism and intolerance as part of their fear-driven politics.

Rather than promoting unity, they conquer hearts and minds by way of division. In this "us versus them" world, diversity often falls by the wayside - despite the world becoming an increasingly multicultural place.

How can the media help highlight the benefits of diversity and pluralism as a contrast to this brand of radicalism? What can media executives contribute to ensure their companies are regarded as vanguards for diversity in this social climate? How can newsmakers inspire solidarity rather than fanning the flames of those who seek division?
 
Keynote:

Armin Laschet

Armin Laschet is the Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia. He was chairman of the CDU group and Leader of the Opposition in the State Parliament from 2013 until 2017. He has been leader of the CDU in North Rhine-Westphalia and vice-chairman of the CDU in Germany since 2012. Mr. Laschet studied law and political science at the Universities of Munich and Bonn. After taking a degree in law in 1987, he trained as a journalist. From 1994-1998 he was a Member of the Bundestag, and from 1999 until 2005, he was a Member of the European Parliament. Between 2005 and 2010 he was Minister for Generations, the Family, Women and Integration in the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, in 2010 he also served as Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Media.

Our speakers:

Jamie Angus

Jamie Angus is the director of BBC World Service Group, which provides news in English and 42 other languages around the world on TV, radio and online. He is responsible for the World Service radio in English, as well as BBC Global News, a commercial subsidiary which commissions BBC World News and bbc.com, and for BBC Monitoring and BBC Media Action. Mr Angus has worked for BBC News since 1999, most recently as Deputy Director.

Peter Limbourg

Peter Limbourg was appointed director general of Deutsche Welle by the German Broadcasting Council on March 15, 2013, and assumed office on October 1, 2013. Mr Limbourg studied law in Bonn and worked as a correspondent in Leipzig in the former GDR and in London before becoming a correspondent for SAT.1 in Brussels in 1990. In 1996, Limbourg became the head of ProSieben's studio in Bonn, and in 1999 he co-founded and was appointed co-editor-in-chief of N24. From 2008 until 2010 Limbourg was the news channel's sole editor-in-chief. After leaving N24, he served as Senior VP News & Political Information of ProSieben Sat.1 TV Germany. From 2008 until 2013 he was also the head news anchor of SAT.1.
 

Aruna Roy

 Aruna Roy is an Indian political and social activist and cofounder of the Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan (MKSS) (Workers’ and Peasants’ Strength Union) and the National Campaign for People’s Right to Information (NCPRI). She is President of the National Federation of Indian Women (NFIW). She has held academic posts in north America and Europe, and from 1968 to 1975 was with the IAS (Institute of Advanced Study). Between 1975 and 1987 she worked and lived with the rural poor in the Indian state of Rajastan. She is a recipient of several awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2000. She was listed as one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME Magazine in 2011.

Our host

Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi

Waslat Hasrat-Nazimi came to Germany as a child of Afghan political refugees when she was four years old. Her life is influenced by both German and Afghan culture, and she considers both countries to be home. She has been a journalist for over 10 years and has worked for several German media outlets including DW, WDR, ZDF and others. She started work as a full-time journalist with DW in 2011. Since then, she has worked as a presenter, author, reporter and producer for DW's Dari, Pashto, German and English editorial departments along with the social media desk on DW News.

Please join us on August 24 from 14:30 (UTC+2) in our Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/216506113113590/