Media Round Table China - Germany
The former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt is looking ahead to the future. “It really makes sense that the Robert Bosch Stiftung launched the China-Germany Media Forum,” he said after a Q&A session with participants. “A direct and open exchange of information and ideas between Chinese and German journalists in leadership positions is important for promoting understanding between the two countries. They should now meet every year.”
The Foundation invited high-ranking journalists and editors-in-chief from leading German and Chinese media outlets to the event in Berlin. During two days, the participants discussed topics such as overcoming the global financial crisis, current energy policies, and the possible consequences of the North African revolutions. In addition, a particular focus was on the duties and responsibilities of the media in both countries.
Guests of the Federal President
After their two-day exchange, the journalists and media managers reported on the results of the event to Germany’s Federal President Christian Wulff in a confidential discussion at the Bellevue Palace. The participants who traveled from China included Zhang Yannong, President of the People’s Daily, Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, and Liu Beixian, President of the China News Service. They met with German media representatives including ZDF Editor-in-Chief Peter Frey, Thomas Osterkorn, Editor-in-Chief of Stern magazine, and Wolfgang Büchner, Editor-in-Chief of the German Press Agency, among others.
The Robert Bosch Stiftung organizes the Media Forum in cooperation with the Global Times, one of the largest daily newspapers in the People’s Republic of China. The next event is planned for 2012 in China.
The Foundation invited high-ranking journalists and editors-in-chief from leading German and Chinese media outlets to the event in Berlin. During two days, the participants discussed topics such as overcoming the global financial crisis, current energy policies, and the possible consequences of the North African revolutions. In addition, a particular focus was on the duties and responsibilities of the media in both countries.
Guests of the Federal President
After their two-day exchange, the journalists and media managers reported on the results of the event to Germany’s Federal President Christian Wulff in a confidential discussion at the Bellevue Palace. The participants who traveled from China included Zhang Yannong, President of the People’s Daily, Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, and Liu Beixian, President of the China News Service. They met with German media representatives including ZDF Editor-in-Chief Peter Frey, Thomas Osterkorn, Editor-in-Chief of Stern magazine, and Wolfgang Büchner, Editor-in-Chief of the German Press Agency, among others.
The Robert Bosch Stiftung organizes the Media Forum in cooperation with the Global Times, one of the largest daily newspapers in the People’s Republic of China. The next event is planned for 2012 in China.
Picture Gallery
From left: Hu Xijin, Editor-in-Chief of the Global Times, Zhang Yannong, President of the People’s Daily, Dr. Ingrid Hamm, Executive Director Robert Bosch Stiftung, and Germany’s Federal President Christian Wulff
From left: Ingrid Hamm, Hu Xijin, Christian Wulff, and Zhang Yannong
The whole group in front of Schloss Bellevue
Quotes from Participants
Photos: Anita Back
Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt
"It really makes sense that the Robert Bosch Stiftung launched the China-Germany Media Forum. A direct and open exchange of information and ideas between Chinese and German journalists in leadership positions is important for promoting understanding between the two countries. They should now meet every year."
"It really makes sense that the Robert Bosch Stiftung launched the China-Germany Media Forum. A direct and open exchange of information and ideas between Chinese and German journalists in leadership positions is important for promoting understanding between the two countries. They should now meet every year."
Sabine Christiansen, President of TV21
“The Media Round Table China - Germany once again proved how important it is to talk with one another, and not just about one another. At the center of the event were the intense debates concerning freedom of opinion and control of the media in China, how people who criticize the government there are handled, the working conditions of Western colleagues in the People’s Republic, as well as many more issues. The extremely candid discussions have once again shown, just as they did last year in Shanghai, that the forum helped overcome prejudices on both sides and that direct information right from the source - for example, with regard to the growth of social networks - truly leads to more understanding.”
“The Media Round Table China - Germany once again proved how important it is to talk with one another, and not just about one another. At the center of the event were the intense debates concerning freedom of opinion and control of the media in China, how people who criticize the government there are handled, the working conditions of Western colleagues in the People’s Republic, as well as many more issues. The extremely candid discussions have once again shown, just as they did last year in Shanghai, that the forum helped overcome prejudices on both sides and that direct information right from the source - for example, with regard to the growth of social networks - truly leads to more understanding.”
Bai Yansong, CCTV News Anchor
“In the dialog and competition between China and the rest of the world, the Media Round Table China - Germany, which is jointly organized by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Global Times, is an extremely important platform. Not only did journalists from both countries analyze the current state of their relationships at this forum, but they also developed a new self-confidence for forming future relationships, as well as a first taste of how these future relationships will be. That’s why this forum is extremely important.”
“In the dialog and competition between China and the rest of the world, the Media Round Table China - Germany, which is jointly organized by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Global Times, is an extremely important platform. Not only did journalists from both countries analyze the current state of their relationships at this forum, but they also developed a new self-confidence for forming future relationships, as well as a first taste of how these future relationships will be. That’s why this forum is extremely important.”
Ma Weigong, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, China Radio International
"The event left a deep impression on me - we spoke very openly and discussed a wide range of different topics. All of the participants were interested in an honest and direct exchange of information, ideas, and opinions. The media’s job is to build bridges, and this event plays a significant role in doing so. It makes sense and should be held on an annual basis, just as Mr. Schmidt said in his closing address."
"The event left a deep impression on me - we spoke very openly and discussed a wide range of different topics. All of the participants were interested in an honest and direct exchange of information, ideas, and opinions. The media’s job is to build bridges, and this event plays a significant role in doing so. It makes sense and should be held on an annual basis, just as Mr. Schmidt said in his closing address."
Andreas Cichowicz, Editor-in-Chief, NDR Television
"I am surprised at how open and how open to criticism the Chinese side was; I expected the Chinese delegation to be much more closed-minded. We learned about a wide range of different opinions here, and I am pleased that we, as Germans, were also the subject of criticism as well. In earlier times, the Chinese side probably would have stood up and left the room. That’s why I believe that the Media Round Table China - Germany is very conducive to discussing problems in an open and transparent manner. We’ll have to wait and see whether or not we can come up with solutions. This meeting is important."
"I am surprised at how open and how open to criticism the Chinese side was; I expected the Chinese delegation to be much more closed-minded. We learned about a wide range of different opinions here, and I am pleased that we, as Germans, were also the subject of criticism as well. In earlier times, the Chinese side probably would have stood up and left the room. That’s why I believe that the Media Round Table China - Germany is very conducive to discussing problems in an open and transparent manner. We’ll have to wait and see whether or not we can come up with solutions. This meeting is important."
Johannes Pflug, MdB
"I think it’s good and important that the Robert Bosch Stiftung holds the Media Round Table China - Germany. This platform is a successful example of how to discuss critical reporting based on different views of government as well as how to expand the things members of the German and Chinese media have in common over the long term."
"I think it’s good and important that the Robert Bosch Stiftung holds the Media Round Table China - Germany. This platform is a successful example of how to discuss critical reporting based on different views of government as well as how to expand the things members of the German and Chinese media have in common over the long term."
Chen Tong, Editor-in-Chief, Sina.com
"The discussions were direct and passionate, with the participants speaking as equals. The topics were wide-ranging and focused on everyday working life. As a result, the forum acts as an important indicator for future work."
"The discussions were direct and passionate, with the participants speaking as equals. The topics were wide-ranging and focused on everyday working life. As a result, the forum acts as an important indicator for future work."
Ines Pohl, Editor-in-Chief, taz
"I am impressed, extremely pleased, and also surprised by both the willingness to criticize the other side and the ability to listen to criticism and accept it from each other. We clearly saw that it isn’t only the Chinese guests who sometimes overreact with lots of emotion to buzzwords like “fear” but that, on the German side, words such as "overexaggeration" or even "lie" are often also apt, and that we sometimes react severely and unreasonably as well. I think we learned a lot from each other. This was an excellent event, and the closing words from former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt were a real highlight. A hearty congratulations goes to the organizers. Thank you very much."
"I am impressed, extremely pleased, and also surprised by both the willingness to criticize the other side and the ability to listen to criticism and accept it from each other. We clearly saw that it isn’t only the Chinese guests who sometimes overreact with lots of emotion to buzzwords like “fear” but that, on the German side, words such as "overexaggeration" or even "lie" are often also apt, and that we sometimes react severely and unreasonably as well. I think we learned a lot from each other. This was an excellent event, and the closing words from former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt were a real highlight. A hearty congratulations goes to the organizers. Thank you very much."
EXPO 2010: Media Round Table in Shanghai
The often one-sided and biased China-reporting in Germany and reporting on Germany in China is an indicator for the necessity of intensive and rational dialog. In cooperation with one of China’s largest news papers, The Global Times, the Robert Bosch Stiftung brought together prominent media professionals and editors-in-chief from both China and Germany to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of international news reporting.
The talks were in tune with the motto of the EXPO („Better City, Better Life“) and combined relevant and contemporary problems of demographic development, urbanization and related ecological issues with larger looming questions of mutual perception and mutual media coverage. The talks were held in Shanghai from 17 to 18 May. On 20 May participants of the media forum met in discussion with German President Prof. Dr. Köhler and members of the President's high-ranking delegation to debate the outcome of the talks held earlier. The successful media round table will be continued in Munich next year.
The often one-sided and biased China-reporting in Germany and reporting on Germany in China is an indicator for the necessity of intensive and rational dialog. In cooperation with one of China’s largest news papers, The Global Times, the Robert Bosch Stiftung brought together prominent media professionals and editors-in-chief from both China and Germany to discuss the challenges and responsibilities of international news reporting.
The talks were in tune with the motto of the EXPO („Better City, Better Life“) and combined relevant and contemporary problems of demographic development, urbanization and related ecological issues with larger looming questions of mutual perception and mutual media coverage. The talks were held in Shanghai from 17 to 18 May. On 20 May participants of the media forum met in discussion with German President Prof. Dr. Köhler and members of the President's high-ranking delegation to debate the outcome of the talks held earlier. The successful media round table will be continued in Munich next year.
Picture Gallery
Zhao Zhongying, director "China National Radio", and Professor Dr. Joachim Rogall, head of department of the Robert Bosch Stiftung
Ding Gang, vice director international department "People's Daily"
Hans-Martin Tillack (re.), German magazine "stern", and Marc Bermann, program officer of the Robert Bosch Stiftung
Ciyun Chang (left), editor-in-chief "Shanghai Daily", and Wolfgang Büchner, editor-in-chief Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa)
Dr. Ingrid Hamm, executive director of the Robert Bosch Stiftung
Ingrid Hamm and Hu Xijin, ecitor-in-chief "Global Times"
Hans Werner Kilz (left), editor-in-chief "Süddeutsche Zeitung", and Peter Limbourg, editor-in-chief "N24"
Dr. Josef Joffe, publisher "Die Zeit"
Media round table
Ingrid Hamm and German President Professor Dr. Horst Köhler
Talks with German President Köhler
