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Media

GMF 2018: ‘Global Inequalities’ and the digital future 

Vera Tellmann
June 8, 2018

Around 2,000 guests from 100 countries will discuss aspects of the focus topic "Global Inequalities" at the DW Global Media Forum (GMF). A highlight will be the Freedom of Speech Award ceremony on Tuesday, June 12. 

https://p.dw.com/p/2z8Ou
GMF 2018 Nebenmotiv - Beschreibungsbild - Global Inequalities
Image: Getty Images

The conference will feature agenda-setting topics, interdisciplinary panel discussions, internationally renowned experts, multimedia formats and a diverse supporting program. The program, information about the speakers, the events in the live stream, an overview of the partners and further services can be found on the website www.dw.com/gmf. 

Global Media Forum GMF 2018

European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society Mariya Gabriel will give a keynote address on Monday on how Europe intends to meet the challenges of digitization. Among the prominent guests are Afghanistan's former President Hamid Karzai and Iranian political scientist Sadegh Zibakalam, this year's laureate of the DW Freedom of Speech Award. 

Mariya Gabriel Brüssel
Mariya GabrielImage: picture-alliance/AA/D.Aydemir

Michelle Müntefering, minister of state at the Federal Foreign Office, and North Rhine-Westphalia's Prime Minister Armin Laschet will also speak at this year's DW media conference. WDR Director Tom Buhrow will speak about the benefits of public service broadcasting as a guarantor of comprehensive, balanced reporting in an increasingly fragmented world. 

Shababtalk live 

As in previous years, an edition of the DW program “Shababtalk" with host Jaafar Abdul Karim will be recorded in front of a studio audience. The controversial talk show is extremely popular with young Arab viewers. It primarily deals with sensitive topics that receive little attention in Arab media - whether religion or anti-Semitism, equality or homosexuality. The topic of Tuesday’s show will be "Why can't I be the way I want to be?" with guests from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria and Lebanon.  

DW Freedom of Speech Award 

dw freedom Prof Sadegh Zibakalam
Sadegh Zibakalam

The DW Freedom of Speech Award honors a person or initiative taking an outstanding position for human rights and freedom of expression. DW Director General Peter Limbourg will present the award to Iranian political scientist Sadegh Zibakalam on June 12. On International Press Freedom Day on May 3, Limbourg said the award represents both an "encouragement to Iranian civil society and a reminder to the political leaders in Tehran to respect the right to free expression." 

DW-Intendant Peter Limbourg beim Festakt 65 Jahre DW mit Bundeskanzlerin Angela Merkel
Peter LimbourgImage: DW/J. Roehl

Media Innovation Lab Day 

Global Inequalities
Image: Getty Images

On June 13, the conference’s Media Innovation Lab Day will focus on internet governance, big data and other technical challenges for media and journalism. The day promises insights into innovative projects and will be presented in a variety of interactive formats. DW and partner organizations will offer MindTalks, presentations and workshops. Interested parties can test new tools and have ample opportunity for networking, for example with young companies presenting themselves in a start-up competition. 

Culture: Anne Clark and Johnny Miller 

The exhibition "Unequal Scenes" by Johnny Miller, a photographer, journalist and founder of the pan-African organization AfricanDRONE, focuses on the conference’s topic "Global Inequalities." His drone footage, screened for the first time in public, document the coexistence of slums and wealthy districts in major cities around the world. Miller, who lives in Cape Town, will attend the GMF to present his project. 

FILMSTILL Anne Clark  I'll Walk Out Into Tomorrow
Anne ClarkImage: Neue Visionen Filmverleih

The accompanying musical program will feature British poet, songwriter and singer Anne Clark. Other guests include Indian singer Ginni Mahi, jazz musician Peter Materna and reggae artist Patrice.

60 partners: ‘The place made for minds’ 

Experts from media, politics, culture and society shape the conference and join the 60 partners participating this year. The GMF has established itself as the largest international media conference in Germany and as "The place made for minds."

The GMF 2018 is co-hosted by the Foundation for International Dialogue of the Savings Bank in Bonn with the BMW Group as a premium partner. Other sponsors include the German Federal Foreign Office, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, the State Government of North Rhine-Westphalia and the city on Bonn.