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 uphold and share these values, acknowledging that there are instances where they fall short. Limbourg specifically mentioned issues such as arms sales, environmental pollution, and collaboration with corrupt regimes as areas where improvement is necessary. The event brought together over 2,000 participants from 110 countries in the former West German capital for a three-day annual Global Media Forum. The conference focused on addressing difficult topics related to "Media. Freedom. Values." Journalists in various countries face challenging circumstances, and the discussions centered around the role of media, freedom of expression, and the importance of protecting values. German President Joachim Gauck delivered an uplifting message to conference participants, emphasizing the shared responsibility of journalists worldwide. He highlighted the abundance of information available today, while also warning of the increasing potential for manipulation and disinformation. Gauck stressed the importance of upholding reliable journalism that can be trusted. A highlight of the Global Media Forum was the presentation of the Deutsche Welle Freedom of Speech Award to Sedat Ergin, editor-in-chief of Hürriyet newspaper in Turkey. Upon receiving the award, Ergin expressed concerns about the increasing issues related to freedom of expression not only in third world countries, dictatorships, and monarchies, but also in countries that claim to be democracies. He emphasized that even the European continent is not immune to this authoritarian trend. Kai Diekmann, a fellow journalist and publisher of the German newspaper "BILD", spoke highly of the Turkish editor, stressing the importance of press freedom and the need to address the dire situation of press freedom in Turkey. Some reactions from Turkish media aligned with the ruling party were extreme, highlighting the challenges faced by journalists in the country. The GMF once again discussed the vital role of bloggers and activists in societies lacking genuine freedom of speech. Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef attended an award ceremony in Bonn for The Bobs, awards presented by Deutsche Welle to recognize outstanding international online activists. The German Commissioner for Human Rights Policy, Bärbel Kofler, participated in a panel discussion with bloggers from Bangladesh who are currently living in asylum in Germany and other European countries. The panel addressed the lack of protection for journalists facing threats from Islamist extremists in their home countries. Journalist and author Martin Walker also provided a somber outlook on the future of media during the Forum. Speakers from various countries emphasized that the media is currently undergoing a significant transformation. The increasing significance of direct communication with individuals worldwide via social media presents journalism with new possibilities. DW's Director General Limbourg emphasized the importance of seizing this opportunity in order to have a real impact.