DW’s Global Media Forum ‘touched a central nerve’

The 2013 edition of Deutsche Welle’s Global Media Forum “touched a central nerve” with the issues covered during the conference, said Director General Erik Betterman.

The three-day conference was attended by more than 2,500 participants from over 100 countries, who gathered together in Bonn to share ideas on ‘The Future of Growth – Economic Values and the Media.’ Bettermann observed that a common sentiment throughout the conference was the importance of citizens as the key drivers of change, adding that “for that they must be well-informed.”

The forum featured Vandana Shiva, Noam Chomsky and German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle, who shared their different standpoints and ideas for action in regard to the central issue of globalization.

Bettermann says the Global Media Forum has once again proved itself to be a platform for the exchange of diverse opinions. “It shows how important it is to develop an internationally binding set of values – to enable a sustainable economy for the sake of the world, and for the sake of future generations.” Creating such a set of binding values takes us back to the question of fundamental human rights, which expressly guarantees the right to free speech and freedom of opinion.”

Here the role of the media will be made clear once again, he added. “The established media, and social media alike, bear a large responsibility.  Social media channels have an ever more important role in shaping people’s personal opinions, and in turn, in the formation of public opinion. They uniquely combine information and participation – transcending borders and spanning cultures and languages.”

The title of the 2014 conference, from June 30 to July 1 2014 will be “Challenges for the Media – From Information to Participation.”