Kazakh Journalists Engage in Global Conversations on the Future of Journalism at DW Media Forum
Media professionals from Kazakhstan took part in the 17th edition of the Deutsche Welle (DW) Global Media Forum 2024, held on June 17-18 at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB). Supported by the Embassy of Germany in Kazakhstan, the initiative included a fellowship program by the German Foreign Office that featured a meeting with DW editor-in-chief Manuela Kasper-Claridge, workshops with leading journalists and experts, and networking events on June 16.
Makhabbat Esen, a media manager, journalist, and producer of the Aisholpan project, highlighted the significance of participating in the forum for the professional growth of reporters and the exposure to international trends. She emphasized the need to enhance the journalism community in Kazakhstan through collaboration and integration, as well as showcasing the potential of Kazakh reporters to a global audience.
Director of The Trend Buro and media expert Sabina Abatova commended the impressive agenda of the forum, stressing the importance of quality, fact-based journalism in combating the spread of low-quality content on social media. The event served as a platform for Kazakh experts to network, create new projects, and promote local content with foreign partners.
Mutabar Kushvaktova, an eco-activist from Uzbekistan, viewed the forum as an opportunity to learn about solutions in the rapidly changing media landscape and emphasized the role of professional journalism in raising awareness of critical issues like climate change. She underscored the need for bloggers to responsibly portray news and information in a neutral and unbiased manner.
The forum’s workshops covered topics such as fact-checking tools, the use of AI in content creation, and detecting disinformation campaigns on social media. The overall theme of the DW Global Media Forum 2024 was sharing solutions, with discussions on disinformation, the ethical implications of AI, democratic engagement, and the future of journalism.
DW Director General Peter Limbourg emphasized the importance of sharing solutions in addressing the challenges posed by AI and disinformation, urging journalists to embrace technology responsibly to maintain public trust and uphold the principles of accuracy and democracy. The event also highlighted the need to transform journalism at the country level by focusing on diversity of perspectives, solutions, and constructive dialogue with audiences.
Overall, the participation of Kazakh media professionals in the DW Global Media Forum 2024 provided valuable insights, networking opportunities, and a platform to engage with global trends in journalism and media.
