DW Global Media Forum

As we conclude showcasing standout entries from our student social media contest, today we're featuring Duzka Z. O., an International Media Studies student. In her video, Duzka explored the question: "Sharing ideas is not enough if democracy loses its voice. So what does Journalism Out Loud actually mean?" By speaking with fellow participants, she uncovers a wide range of answers and perspectives, highlighting how differently people connect with this year's theme. We were particularly impressed by the diversity of viewpoints captured in her video and the way she brought together many individual interpretations of this year's GMF theme. Thank you for taking part, Duzka, and congratulations! And that's a wrap on our student social media contest winner series. Thanks to everyone who participated and shared their #GMF26 experiences with us. We're already looking forward to seeing more creative perspectives next year!

Today we're featuring the winning entry by Anna Lisanne Berning from our #GMF26 social media contest, in which students had the opportunity to share their personal experiences and thoughts on the conference's theme "Journalism Out Loud." In her video, Anna, who studies Politics & Society and Media Studies at the University of Bonn (Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn), reflects on what inspired her most at #GMF26: the way journalists are increasingly supporting and standing up for one another. Looking back on two formative days at the Global Media Forum, she highlights some of the challenges and discussions shaping journalism today—from dwindling funding and growing risks for journalists in conflict and border regions to the question of how Europe can become more independent through its own digital platforms. Thank you, Anna, for sharing your insights and thoughts on this year's GMF with us. And congratulations! 🎉

Throughout this week, we're showcasing five standout entries from our first-ever student social media contest, inviting participants to share their personal takeaways from #GMF26 and what this year's theme, "Journalism Out Loud," means to them. Today, we're featuring Leonie Figgle, a Politics, Media & Languages student at the University of Bonn (Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn). In her video, she reflects on some of her highlights from the conference, including the Freedom of Speech Award ceremony, and shares her thoughts on the importance of "Journalism Out Loud" in today's societies and media landscape. Her contribution captures the ideas and conversations she is taking away from #GMF26. Congrats, Leonie!

As part of our social media contest at #GMF26, students were invited to share their personal takeaways from the conference and their interpretation of this year's theme, "Journalism Out Loud." Today, we're featuring Ida Maria Goerdten and Lena Herrmann, fellows of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, whose joint video explores two topics they are particularly passionate about. Ida spoke with Deutsche Welle's Jaafar Abdul Karim about the role of journalism in giving a voice to different opinions and perspectives, while Lena discussed the role of journalism on digital platforms and the impact of AI on freedom of expression with Courtney Radsch, PhD, Director of the Center for Journalism and Liberty at the Open Markets Institute. Thank you for taking part, Ida and Lena, and congratulations! 🎉 Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung JONA – Das Journalismus-Stipendium der KAS

What inspired the next generation of journalists at #GMF26? As part of our first-ever student social media contest, participants created videos capturing their key takeaways from the conference, from standout speakers and discussions to their personal interpretation of this year's theme, "Journalism Out Loud." Students posted their videos on their own channels and tagged the DW Global Media Forum. From all submissions, we selected five entries that we'll be featuring throughout the week. The winners receive free tickets to the b° future festival in October and an exclusive GMF/DW goodie bag. The first winner we're featuring today is Media Studies student Lukas Latsch (Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn), whose video explores a fundamental question: "What role should journalism play in today's society?" Through interviews with speakers, fellow participants, and his own reflections on the conference, he captures some of the key themes and conversations that shaped #GMF26. Thanks for taking part, Lukas, and congratulations!

Is AI changing journalism, or simply accelerating trends that were already underway? During the #GMF26 panel AI in Journalism: Breakthrough or Breakdown?, Ana Paula Valacco (JournalismAI Programme Manager and Engagement Lead at Polis at LSE) reflected on how artificial intelligence is amplifying transformations that have been shaping the media landscape for years.    As audiences change the way they consume information, journalists are being challenged to think differently about how they create value. For Valacco, AI is not just a technological shift but a reminder of journalism's core strengths: providing context, curating information and helping people make sense of the world. Her message: people still seek reliable information. The challenge is finding new ways to present it and connect it to the needs of the audiences it serves.    🎬 Watch the full discussion featuring Ana Paula Valacco, Ezra Eeman, Lambert Hogenhout, Celine Isabelle Samson and host Max Hofmann on our YouTube channel via the link in the comments.

😴 or 😊: Did the predictions about #GMF26 match the experience? At the DW Global Media Forum 2026, we asked students to look back: What did they expect before coming to Bonn, and how did the reality compare? The verdict: No "blah, blah," many critical questions, inspiring conversations, and lots of memorable encounters. ✨ We're excited to see what we hear from them next year!

What does "Journalism Out Loud" mean to you? 🎤 At #GMF26, DW correspondent and #DWAmbassador Edith Kimani asked participants what this year's motto #JournalismOutLoud means to them. Their answers reflect the many dimensions of what journalism is in society today, and what they want it to be: independent, professional, courageous—and also proud.

Who controls the flow of information when it matters most? 🗯️ That question was at the heart of one of the most heated discussions at #GMF26. In the panel "Between Innovation and Dependence: Journalism's Love-Hate Relationship with Big Tech," science author Dr. med. Eckart von Hirschhausen argued that when tech companies control access to information, the stakes go far beyond market share and competition. In some cases, access to reliable information can be a matter of life and death. His message: the debate about journalism's relationship with AI and Big Tech is only beginning to scratch the surface. 🎬 Watch the full conversation featuring von Hirschhausen, Marcela Duarte, Courtney Radsch, PhD, Ramzi Rizk and Cyriac Roeding, moderated by Jaafar Abdul Karim, on our YouTube channel via the link in the comments. #JournalismOutLoud

For 19 years, the Global Media Forum has brought together journalists, policymakers, activists and changemakers from around the world. So, for us, its value may seem self-evident. But at #GMF26, we took a step back and asked our participants one simple question: Why do events like this actually matter today? 🎥 Let's hear what they had to say.