Shaping tomorrow, now: The DW Global Media Forum 2022

From the Russian invasion of Ukraine and climate change to the COVID-19 pandemic and the return of Taliban rule in Afghanistan: We seem to find ourselves in a perpetual state of imbalance and escalating emergencies. This impression is further exacerbated as digitalization and social media prompt us to take part in each human-made crisis around the globe in real time and at an accelerating rate. 

Fostering resilient journalism and civil societies

At the same time, we struggle not to lose sight of the things that really matter to us. Beyond insecurity and volatility, however, we have also learned that every crisis gives rise to new ideas – bringing new opportunities for both media professionals and their industry. So what can the media learn from dealing with crisis upon crisis? How can we actively shape our future in the long run, especially in the face of ever-changing challenges? In the wake of global digital transformation, what roles do we cut out for media professionals in the future? And how can we sustainably preserve their work and safeguard it against increasing restraints to media freedom, pluralism, and human rights?

At the Global Media Forum, Germany's international broadcaster annually brings together media professionals from around the globe in Bonn since 2008.

These are some of the questions we want to discuss at the 15th edition of the DW Global Media Forum in 2022 that will take place on June 20 and 21 both at the World Conference Center in Bonn, Germany and online. Among other things, we will examine issues like:

• How can journalism maintain its role as a reliable source of information – especially in times of crises?
• How do science journalists best deal with hot topics like climate change, pandemics and migration – as the focus on these issues grows each day?
• Beyond the crisis: How to create resilient, prepared and sustainable news reporting.
• Solution-oriented journalism: What values does constructive journalism actually bring to the newsroom?
• Disasters, so what? How Western media deal with crises in the rest of the world.
• Journalist gone activist? Exploring the red line between news reporting and advocacy.
• Under pressure: Which strategies can help to strengthen freedom of press in the face of governmental repression?
• How does digitalization influence the way we communicate with one another, both one-on-one and as societies?
• Which business models can promote a resilient, independent press?
• How can we help stop monopolies from controlling the market of intermediary platforms?
• How do diversity, (un-)conscious biases, racism and anti-racism shape the media and our societies? 

• The media industry in 2050: How can we support liberal democracies and peace both on and offline and continue to expect the unexpected?

• Local means relevant: Which local (media) initiatives have succeeded internationally? 

Resuming where we left off pre-pandemic in 2019, the 2022 conference will take place at the WCCB in Bonn, Germany, again.

Shaping tomorrow, now

The 15th DW Global Media Forum is an interactive, interdisciplinary future lab exploring innovative solutions for media professionals. It aims to foster resilient journalism and civil societies for the future – and thus to support democracy.

We look forward to welcoming you on June 20 and 21 to our 2022 conference to shape tomorrow, now!

Stay tuned for updates on panels, speakers, pre-conference impulses and more: Sign up for the DW Global Media Forum newsletter or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. 

We look forward to welcoming you on June 20 and 21 to our 2022 conference to shape tomorrow, now!

A platform to seek solutions — together

The DW Global Media Forum offers a unique interdisciplinary platform for media professionals as well as decision-makers from politics, civil society, culture, education, business and science from all over the world to get together and to learn from each other as part of an intercultural exchange.