Hamburg Press Freedom Week
Freedom of the Press and Information Awareness Week from 13 to 18 October 2024
Freedom of the press is indispensable for our democracy. It is a cornerstone of liberal, free societies and essential for pluralism of opinion and the formation of public opinion, for transparency and the control of power. However, in many places around the world, including Europe and Germany, freedom of the press is increasingly under threat. Disinformation and targeted influence are making the work of many media professionals more difficult. Journalists are increasingly experiencing attacks and intimidation, especially in the context of election reporting.
To draw attention to the value of press freedom and free media reporting, the Körber-Stiftung and ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS, together with a broad alliance of more than 30 partners from the media, NGOs, foundations, clubs and associations, as well as politics – such as Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR Info), STRÖER Media and the Ministry of Culture and Media of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, organised the Hamburg Week of Press Freedom.
The central action week, which was held in Hamburg for the second time, comprised a diverse programme with over 30 events such as panel talks, a live broadcast at NDR, a senate reception at Hamburg City Hall, live podcasts, news camps, a pop-up editorial office, exciting discussions, conferences, participatory activities, stage programmes, exhibitions and workshops. Together, they raised awareness in Hamburg’s city society – and beyond – of the importance of free reporting and freedom of expression for our democracy.
“Freedom of the press is essential for democracy. It protects the right to information and criticism, separates facts from misinformation and is indispensable for making political decisions transparent. In times when attacks on the media are increasing, more than just journalistic freedom is at stake – the very foundations of democratic societies are under threat. From our work to strengthen exile journalism, we know that without a free media, the truth remains hidden, and democracy loses its strength and credibility.”
Dr. Lothar Dittmer, Chairman of the Executive Board, Körber-Stiftung
Week-long programme with international guests
International and national guests from the fields of politics, media and civil society shaped the week-long programme with reports from media professionals from all over the world, for example from Russia, Myanmar, the USA, Italy, France, Georgia and Burma, but also from Thuringia and Hamburg.
With the Exile Media Forum and the Young Exile Media Forum, from 15 to 16 October, the Körber Foundation hosted Germany’s largest conference for exile journalism. At the Free Media Lecture of the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS on Tuesday, 15 October, the Georgian journalist Nastasia Arabuli, who is an exceptional journalist and this year’s winner of the Free Media Award, and the journalist Petra Reski, who lives in Italy, discussed the fact that journalism is not a crime at the Free Media Lecture of the ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS at Bucerius Law School.
