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ISSUE 2 2009
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THE CHANNEL
At the second
Deutsche
Welle Global Media
Forum
in Bonn in June
over 1,200 delegates
from the media, politics,
business, science and
culture joined Deutsche
Welle partners and NGOs
to discuss media
behaviour in situations of
volatility and conflict.
DW Director General
Erik Bettermann
summed up the media’s
key roles: to act as
responsible
professionals while
honouring journalistic
impartiality, and to
contribute to conflict
prevention and
containment.
Here are some
conference highlights
and feedback
Every blogger is a type of modern-day Tiananmen
Square
“Every blogger is a modern-day Tiananmen Square,” said the Chinese
blogger
Yang Hengjun
during the DW Global Media Forum. “The Chinese
authorities have continued to increase internet censorship over the last few
years – even with the support of Western companies.” Nearly 300m Chinese
use the Internet. For the young, educated urban class it's a door to the
outside world. Citizen journalists and democracy movements use the
Internet as a fast communication system. Reports, pictures and videos of
political events are disseminated around the world in seconds. A globally
available alternative to state media is emerging. The political establishment
in Beijing replies with cyber police, Internet censorship and network
blockades.
The BOBs
“This prize comes at the right time for our campaign,” said
Nazli Farokhi
from Iran. Her blog, “4equality”, has existed for around four years now and
has been blocked by authorities time and again. “The BOBs award has
given us a boost.” The winner of the Reporters without Borders Award
attended the awards ceremony for The BOBs – DW’s international weblog
awards during the DW Global Media Forum. Farokhi’s blog accompanies a
campaign in Iran fighting for women's rights and an end to discrimination.
The winners
Yoani Sánchez
from Cuba as well as
Liu Xiaoyuan
and
Zeng
Jinyan
from China were not able to make the trip to Germany as authorities
in Havana and Beijing apparently rejected their request to attend the event.
Last year, Internet users from around the world suggested more than 8,500
blogs for the Deutsche Welle Weblog Awards in 11 languages. An
international jury made up of journalists, media scientists and bloggers
chose the winners from those suggestions.
WWW.DW-GMF.DE