During his closing speech at the ninth consecutive Global Media Forum, DW Director General Peter Limbourg emphasized the importance of European values. He highlighted the need for Germany and Europe to reflect on and uphold these values, acknowledging that there are instances where they fall short, such as in the sale of arms, environmental pollution, and cooperation with corrupt regimes. Limbourg stressed the importance of practicing what we preach before lecturing others on these values. Over 2,000 participants from 110 countries gathered in the former West German capital for the three-day event. The conference focused on discussing challenging topics related to "Media. Freedom. Values." Journalists in various countries often encounter tough circumstances. The conference delved into the role of media, freedom of speech, and the importance of safeguarding values. German President Joachim Gauck delivered an inspiring message to conference participants, emphasizing the shared responsibility of journalists worldwide. He highlighted the abundance of information available today, but also warned of the increasing potential for manipulation and disinformation. Gauck stressed the importance of upholding reliable journalism that can be trusted. A notable moment at this year's Global Media Forum was when Sedat Ergin, editor-in-chief of Hürriyet, received the Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award. Upon receiving the award, Ergin expressed concerns about the growing threats to freedom of expression not only in non-democratic countries, but also in supposedly democratic nations. Diekmann emphasized the importance of press freedom and criticized the state of media freedom in Turkey. Turkish media aligned with the ruling party reacted strongly to the award, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in Turkey. The role of bloggers and activists in societies with limited freedom of speech was also discussed at the GMF. Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef attended an award ceremony in Bonn for The Bobs, which recognize the top international online activists. German Commissioner for Human Rights Policy Bärbel Kofler participated in a panel with bloggers from Bangladesh who have sought asylum in Europe due to threats from Islamist extremists. The forum focused on the lack of protection for journalists in danger in their home countries and aimed to raise awareness about the need for asylum. Journalist and author Martin Walker provided a pessimistic outlook on the future of media. Speakers at the conference emphasized that the media is at a critical juncture. The increasing importance of direct communication with people globally through social media is creating new possibilities for journalism. DW's Director General Limbourg emphasized the need for media to take advantage of this opportunity in order to have a meaningful impact.