Rethinking media development

“Rethinking media development – New actors, new technologies and new strategies” is the focus of this year’s symposium and explores the future for media development in the new information ecosystem.

Social media platforms have created a complex information ecosystem that is both a blessing and a curse for free and independent media outlets. On the one hand, digital technologies have created unprecedented opportunities for reporting and distributing journalistic content and for many, digital innovations hold enormous potential to reshape the media landscape. At the same time, however, in an age of misinformation and disinformation, traditional media outlets are increasingly under threat as members of populist movements use digital spaces to attack their credibility. As their traditional business models fail, free and independent media outlets are now struggling to survive.

The digital revolution has also radically altered the way we communicate. This means the media development community also has to discuss, rethink and if necessary redefine its strategy to better serve the ideals of freedom of information and free speech in the digital era. The 2019 FoME Symposium brings together journalists, media managers, media development specialists, activists, academics and representatives from government, civil society and private companies from around the world to exchange their views on this topic.

Core questions at the symposium are:

How can media development succeed in this changing information ecosystem?

• What are the most pressing challenges? What new approaches look promising?
• How should media development projects work with new innovative players?
• What are positive examples of cooperation with start-ups/innovation hubs? How do tech companies like Facebook, Google and the like come into play?
• How are media development organizations preparing for these changes?
• What are their new strategic priorities?
• What are the most important future issues for media development?

The event offers expert input in the form of speeches, short lightning talks, panel discussions, workshops and exciting interactive formats (Buzzword Check, Marketplace of Ideas) Organizations contributing with sessions include CIMA, DW Akademie, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, ECPMF, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), icebauhaus, n-ost, Reporter ohne Grenzen and Tea after Twelve.

Find more info here.