Kommission zur Ermittlung der Konzentration im Medienbereich (KEK) Kommission für Jugendmedienschutz (KJM) Kommission für Zulassung und Aufsicht (ZAK) Gremienvorsitzendenkonferenz (GVK)
12 May 2025

Safeguarding Freedom - Securing Democracy

2025 marks a crucial year for media regulation. Malicious actors are trying to conceal their beneficiaries and are distorting their influence to erode trust in the media. Meanwhile, real information struggles to be heard and seen. The idea of safeguarding the freedom of the information space is under threat by claims of censorship and dictation. This is the reality the media sector and regulators must confront.

When

Mon, 12 May 2025

Where

Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union
Rue Montoyer 47
1000 Brussels, Belgium

Now is the time to tackle disinformation head-on: How does it impact the media? When does it threaten democracy – and when does it not? What is needed to protect freedom? What is essential to secure democracy? 

The German Media Authorities’ event series “Safeguarding Freedom” is organised under the auspices of the North Rhine-Westphalian Media Authority. 

This year’s event was entirely dedicated to the safeguarding of democracy. At “Safeguarding Freedom – Securing Democracy”, the speakers addressed the highly relevant issue of disinformation and its impact on the protection of democratic values.

Our first panel examined the dangers of disinformation, navigating the delicate boundary between inadmissible disinformation and extremist content. The session featured a keynote presentation focussing on political and societal actions needed to counter disinformation. This was followed by a discussion with experts from diverse institutions, including media authorities and the European Parliament, on bolstering democratic resilience in response to these challenges.

The second panel focussed on effective counterstrategies, emphasizing the role of authentic information as a tool against disinformation. The discussion opened up by looking at European approaches towards a proper prominence of media of general interest. This analysis set the stage for a panel featuring representatives from both public and private sectors.

The event was held in English, simultaneous interpretation into German was provided.

Agenda

Time

Host: Isabelle Körner 
16.00

Arrival and registration

Coffee and refreshments

16.45

Opening

Welcome address

  • Rainer Steffens
    Head of the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the European Union
  • Dr. Tobias Schmid
    Commissioner for European Affairs, German Media Authorities 
    Director of the Media Authority of North Rhine-Westphalia
17.05

Democratic resilience in the face of disinformation and extremism

Keynote speech

  • Nathanael Liminski
    Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and Media
    Head of the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia

Panel discussion

  • Dr. Eva Flecken
    Chair of the Directors' Conference of the State Media Authorities
    Director of the Media Authority of Berlin-Brandenburg
  • Renate Nikolay
    Deputy Director General, DG CNECT, European Commission
  • Anna Zizola
    EU Government Affairs Lead, X
  • Prof. Dr. Ralf Müller-Terpitz
    Chair of Public Law, Law of Economic Regulation and Media, University of Mannheim
  • Nathanael Liminski
    Minister for Federal, European and International Affairs and Media
    Head of the State Chancellery of North Rhine-Westphalia

18.30

How democracies survive: Countering disinformation with truthful information

Impulse: Challenges and opportunities in the regulation of services of general interest

  • Frédéric Bokobza
    Deputy Director General, Arcom

Perspective from across the channel: The UK's new prominence regime

  • Anthony Szynkaruk
    Broadcasting Director, Ofcom

Panel discussion

  • Inga Moser von Filseck
    Head of Public Policy, Prime Video EU
  • Maren Rolfes
    Government Relations, RTL Deutschland
  • Tanja Hüther
    Head of Distribution, ARD
  • Alexandra Geese
    Member of the European Parliament

19.30

End of event and get together

Appetisers and drinks