Dive into the topics: This was the Publix Opening Conference

The Opening Conference on September 12th was about immersing yourself in the topics of Publix. 150 representatives from the media and society came together to discuss current challenges facing the media industry and find solutions for positively shaping public opinion in presentations and workshops. Publix residents presented lighthouse projects, while experts contributed new findings on strengthening media and technology skills.  

The various panels were spread across the different rooms throughout the building. In addition to the professional exchange, guests also gained an impression of the special architecture of the Publix building. It was a successful start to the opening week, which offered new networking opportunities for those working for democratic discourse, freedom of the press and against disinformation. 

As part of the conference, Correctiv editor-in-chief Justus von Daniels and US journalist Jim Mintz presented a German version of the Sunlight Initiative, which helps journalists and citizens to better inform themselves about political candidates. Investigative journalist Robert Trafford spoke about the work of Forensic Architecture in Gaza and the investigation of human rights violations in the current conflict. The JX Fund shared insights on the cooperation between German editorial offices and Russian and Ukrainian exile media. 

Writer Annika Reich spoke about a new Publix collaboration: together with the Weiterschreiben.jetzt initiative, which Reich co-founded, a ‘word workshop’ for young people from Neukölln will launch in January. It will be called ‘Pipe up’. Under the direction of Iranian-born journalist and filmmaker Schokofeh Kamiz, the project aims to promote linguistic talent and media skills in schools and youth organisations. 

Publix Director Maria Exner presented the new Publix Fellowship for Media Entrepreneurs together with Rasmus Kleis Nielsen from the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in Oxford. Through this cooperation, fellows can devote three months in Oxford at the Reuters Institute and two months at Publix in Berlin focusing on a key issue for the future of journalism and the public sphere and develop a special media project. The application phase begins in January 2025 and you can find further information about it here.  

Complete Conference programme

Fotocredit: Paul Alexander Probst