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From the Inside Out: Global Expert Group on Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences both for global conflicts and for local and international efforts to end war and build peace in all world regions. To what extent are, for example, crises in food or energy…

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Sanna Marin receives this year's Helmut-Schmidt-Zukunftspreis

Hamburg, Mai 2, 2023: Finnish social democrat Sanna Marin is the winner of this year's Helmut-Schmidt-Zukunftspreis, which will be awarded by the weekly newspaper Die Zeit , the German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt Foundation and The New Institute on May…

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[Translate to English:] Helmut Schmidt auf der chinesischen Mauer mit einem Fotoapparat vor dem Gesicht.

In retrospect: A short review on Helmut Schmidt’s view on China

Kick off speech by Dr Martin Albers on our conference “From the 'Workshop of the World' to…

On March 30 and March 31, 2023, our conference “From the 'Workshop of the World' to 'Systemic Rival'? – International Perspectives on Global China” took place in Hamburg. Renowned China experts from politics, academia, business and media analysed the…

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To me, press freedom is everything. Without independent media, there is no democracy. We need to fight for it for the sake of every generation — because those in power, whether in autocracies or democracies, do not benefit from accountability and will inevitably work to undermine journalism.

Melissa Chan

Journalist

Democracy dies with lies and it cannot exist without a well-informed electorate. It is a never-ending fight against corruption at all levels of society. Without a free press, democracy is merely a facade. As an academic and a former journalist, fighting for democracy with a range of tools is a civic duty for me.

Edit Zgut

Journalist and political scientist

I believe that in every society in the world, freedom of the press is non-negotiable. Unfortunately, we have seen a huge decline in recent years. [...] The case of Julian Assange ultimately revealed that Western societies tend to imitate autocratic regimes and even work with them instead of working against them with us. 

Emran Feroz

Journalist and author

For me, press freedom means journalists speaking up among themselves and to power with integrity, honesty and sincerity. To achieve this goal, it is essential that media firms and owners do not stifle journalists. This will help to pave the way and provide answers to the press freedom challenges that exist in our societies.

Tobore Ovuorie

Journalist & recipient of the 2021 Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award

As crises spread around the globe, freedom of the press is deteriorating and gender-based discrimination is increasing. But freedom of the press as a fundamental human right and the ability to speak up for gender equality and justice are essential for creating and maintaining democratic societies.

Fawzya El-Shami

Journalist

It is the job and duty of the press to hold the powerful to account. Brave journalism is important for society, but it can lead to resistance and repression from those in power. That’s why everyone must fight for press freedom. It is a human right that benefits all of us.

Andre Meister

Journalist

“Speaking up” is even more difficult since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In Russia and Belarus, independent journalists work from exile or risk imprisonment. In Ukraine, journalists risk their lives. Respect and solidarity to all who continue reporting, which is essential to counter relentless propaganda.

Valerie Hopkins

International correspondent

As journalists, we are committed to a high ethos: the pursuit of truth. This makes us guardians of democracy and defenders of the democratic values that hold our society together. The freedom of the press is one of the most valuable assets we have and must be defended.

Düzen Tekkal

Journalist and Founder of HÁWAR.help

The cost of spreading information in Belarus can be as high as years in jail, wounds from live ammunition, physical violence, searched apartments and sudden exile abroad. Journalism in a dictatorial regime is dangerous. Yet it also brings an important sense of mission: we work to bring people the truth.

Hanna Liubakova

Journalist, writer & activist

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