The Global Media Forum – DW’s international media conference

Participants from over 120 countries join the DW Global Media Forum each year, making it a truly global conference for dialogue and innovation in the media sector.

The Global Media Forum serves as a vital platform for dialogue, providing participants with a unique opportunity to engage in discussions on topics such as disinformation, censorship, artificial intelligence, information freedom, global crises and conflicts, media innovation, and diversity. At the forum, media professionals from around the globe are joined by decision-makers and influencers from politics and civil society, culture, education, business and science to discuss the latest sociopolitical issues of our time and how they relate to and are dealt with by the media.

A Hub for Media Excellence and Insight

Through a variety of formats, including keynotes, discussion panels, and hands-on workshops, attendees will gain valuable insights and practical skills to navigate the evolving media landscape.

Top Speakers from Around the Globe

The GMF offers not only fascinating insights but also unparalleled networking opportunities. Held in Bonn, the GMF provides delegates and participants with the chance to meet world leaders from various fields and exchange ideas in an exclusive setting.

Past keynote speakers include:

• Maria Ressa – CEO of Rappler and Nobel Peace Prize laureate
• Dimitry Muratov – Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist
• Leymah Gbowee – Nobel Peace Prize laureate and activist
• Annalena Baerbock – German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
• Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya – Belarusian opposition leader in exile
• Timothy Snyder – Professor of History at Yale University
• Felipe Neto – Influencer and YouTuber
• Mathias Döpfner – CEO of Axel Springer
• L.V. Navaneeth – CEO at The Hindu
• Can Dündar – Turkish journalist in exile
• Melissa Fleming – Global Communications at the UN
• Alessandra Galloni – Editor-in-Chief of Reuters
• Ranga Yogeshwar – Physicist and science journalist
• Nic Newman, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
• Paul Ronzheimer – Deputy Editor-in-Chief of BILD
• Afua Hirsch – Journalist and author
• Aroon Purie, Founder-publisher of India Today
• Anne Applebaum – Journalist and author
• Hamid Karzai – Former President of Afghanistan
• Věra Jourová – Former European Commission Vice-President for Values and Transparency
• David Schraven – Founder of Correctiv
• Noel Curran – Director General of the EBU

Cooperation with Global Partners

Every year, we invite organizations worldwide to participate in the Global Media Forum, sharing their expertise and enhancing the networking opportunities the GMF offers. Past cooperation partners have included national and international organizations, such as Germany’s Goethe-Institut, global broadcasters such as the BBC World Service and human rights defenders such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders. Various UN agencies, including UNESCO, have also partnered with the Global Media Forum, creating a truly interdisciplinary media conference unlike any other. Additionally, we have collaborated with media organizations such as the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), the International Press Institute (IPI), and the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN).

Highlighting Freedom of Expression

One of the key highlights of the DW Global Media Forum is the DW Freedom of Speech Award. This award honors individuals or initiatives that have made a significant contribution to promoting freedom of expression. It serves as a reminder of the vital role that free speech plays in democratic societies and the ongoing efforts needed to protect this fundamental right. Former laureates include Yulia Navalnaya, a freedom of speech activist; Óscar Martínez, an investigative journalist and Editor-in-Chief of El Faro; Anabel Hernandez, Mexican investigative journalist; as well as Ukrainian journalists Mstyslav Chernov and Evgeniy Maloletka.

Join the Conversation

The DW Global Media Forum is more than just a conference; it’s a movement toward a more informed and connected world. Whether you’re a journalist, media professional, or simply passionate about the future of media, this event offers a unique opportunity to be part of the conversation and contribute to shaping the future of journalism.

The DW Global Media Forum 2025 will take place on July 7 and 8, 2025 in Bonn, Germany. The event will be hosted across three venues: the Bundeskunsthalle Bonn, the Kunstmuseum Bonn, and DW’s headquarters.

Source: Online Information