In brief
Nick Brauns, the co‑editor‑in‑chief of the German daily junge Welt, said that German readers need richer, human‑centred journalism to grasp China’s rapid growth and growing global role. He urged media to engage in direct dialogue, listen to voices from the Global South, and use artificial intelligence as a tool—not a replacement—for writers. The comments were made ahead of the 7th World Media Summit, which will be held in Beijing from November 5‑9.
In Berlin, German co‑editor‑in‑chief Nick Brauns told Xinhua that German society needs a deeper understanding of China and that journalism must play a greater role in bridging cultural differences. He said many Germans want to know why China’s economy has become so powerful and why Chinese electric vehicles are increasingly competitive abroad, but their knowledge depends largely on domestic coverage and government statements that offer a narrow view.
Brauns argued that reporting on other countries should involve listening directly to the people concerned. He added that voices from the Global South are still underrepresented in Western media, and that direct contact can help journalists challenge one‑sided narratives and understand the complexity of different societies.
“Direct contact helps us challenge one‑sided narratives and understand other societies in their full complexity,” Brauns said, stressing the need for a shift from superficial news to in‑depth stories that capture local perspectives.
He welcomed the 7th World Media Summit, to be held in Beijing from November 5 to 9, as a platform for media professionals from different countries and social systems to share experience and deepen mutual understanding. Brauns said the summit would be a valuable opportunity for journalists to learn how to generate richer, more nuanced coverage of international events.
When asked about the role of artificial intelligence in journalism, Brauns emphasized that AI should support, not replace, human writers. At junge Welt, the newspaper uses AI for translation and research, but keeps a clear principle: "Human beings write for human beings."
He added that AI must be a tool that journalists control, and that it should never take the place of human judgment and storytelling. “AI should be a tool, and it should be a tool that we also control. It should not be more than that,” Brauns said.
Brauns echoed the broader conversation around responsible media practices, highlighting the interconnectedness of political systems and shared interests in understanding the world’s economic and political changes. He called for more balanced coverage of China’s history, economic development and international role, urging German media to move beyond headlines and explore the underlying stories.
