BERLIN, Nov. 8 — German society needs a more comprehensive understanding of China, and the media should play a greater role in bridging differences through direct contact, dialogue and in-depth reporting, said Nick Brauns, co-editor-in-chief of German daily newspaper junge Welt, in a recent interview with Xinhua ahead of the 7th World Media Summit.
Brauns said many Germans want to know more about China’s history, economic development and international role. They wonder, for example, why the Chinese economy has become so powerful and why Chinese electric vehicles are increasingly competitive in international markets. However, their understanding of China relies largely on German mainstream media coverage and government statements, which offer limited insight into the factors behind its development and growing global influence.
Brauns said reporting on other countries should involve listening directly to the people concerned. He also called for greater attention to voices from the Global South, which he believes remain underrepresented in Western media.
“Direct contact helps us challenge one-sided narratives and understand other societies in their full complexity,” he said.
The World Media Summit provides a valuable opportunity for media professionals from different countries and social systems to share experience and deepen mutual understanding, he said.
Turning to AI, Brauns said at junge Welt, AI can be used for translation and research, but the newspaper maintains a clear principle: “Human beings write for human beings.”
“AI should be a tool, and it should be a tool that we also control. It should not be more than that,” he said.
“We work in different political systems and have different roles and responsibilities. But we share an interest in understanding the world and its economic and political changes,” he said.
The 7th World Media Summit is being held in Beijing from Nov. 5 to 9. (Namibia Daily News/Xinhua)
