Independent media in the US is not doing well. Between a hostile administration targeting “biased” news organizations, a highly polarized public and distribution dominated by algorithms, America’s free press is facing unprecedented challenges. The world is watching, one international report after another. But what is going on beyond the headlines? How are media professionals on the ground concretely affected, and what are they doing to preserve the existence of a free press? In this episode, guests from all walks of journalism – from local news to media philanthropy to legal defense – examine the state of US media. They provide a firsthand look not just at where things are, but also how they reached this point and what can – and is being done to ensure the continued existence of a free press and democracy.

The speakers are:

- Keri Mitchell, founder and executive director of the Dallas Free Press

- Kimberly Spencer, director of the Colorado Media Project

- Thomas S. Leatherbury, law professor and director of the First Amendment Clinic at Southern Methodist University

- Moritz Döbler, editor-in-chief of the Rheinische Post

- Astrid Maier, deputy editor-in-chief and head of strategy at the German Press Agency (dpa)

The episode was recorded live at the b° future festival on October 3, 2025. More information about the b° future festival can be found here: https://www.b-future.org/

The non-profit Bonn Institute addresses the media industry's growing need for networking and knowledge exchange on user-centered approaches to journalism. Through applied research, publications, events and training, the institute aims to further develop journalism by placing people’s interests at the heart of our work, which is especially important in light of societal challenges.

The Bonn Institute publishes a monthly international newsletter – sign up here. https://www.bonn-institute.org/en/newsletter

Credits: Editor: Paula Rösler (Bonn Institute)

Host: Cristina Burack (Bonn Institute)

Producer: Hannes Kappler

Director: Ellen Heinrichs (Bonn Institute)

Contact: hello@bonn-institute.org © 2026 Bonn Institute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In dieser Folge des b° future podcast geht es darum, wie der WDR-Radiosender 1LIVE sein Programm gestaltet, um junge Menschen in Zeiten von Nachrichtenmüdigkeit zu erreichen. Mit dabei sind Dennis Horn, Stellvertretender Programmchef bei 1LIVE, Lisa Bertram, Nachrichtenredakteurin und Podcast-Host und die Moderatorin Freddie Schürheck. Die drei sprechen über – nicht so klassische – Nachrichten, über Comedy und diverse Lebensrealitäten – und über Samstage, irgendwo in NRW, aber auf jeden Fall mitten im Leben der Hörerinnen und Hörer.

Das nächste b° future festival findet vom 3.–5. Oktober 2026 in der Bonner Innenstadt statt und wird vom gemeinnützigen Bonn institute ausgerichtet. Mehr Infos über das b° future festival.

Mit anwendungsbezogener Forschung, Veröffentlichungen, Veranstaltungen und Fortbildungen trägt das Bonn Institute dem gestiegenen Bedarf der Medienbranche nach Vernetzung und Wissensaustausch im Hinblick auf konstruktive und nutzerzentrierte Ansätze im Journalismus Rechnung. Ziel ist es, den Journalismus so weiterzuentwickeln, dass er die Interessen der Menschen in den Mittelpunkt stellt – gerade vor dem Hintergrund wachsender gesellschaftlicher Herausforderungen.

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Credits:

Redaktion: Cristina Burack, Mirella Murri (Bonn Institute)

Host: Paula Rösler (Bonn Institute)

Produktion: Hannes Kappler (Bonn Institute)

Leitung: Ellen Heinrichs (Bonn Institute)

Kontakt: hello@bonn-institute.org

© 2025 Bonn Institute

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

French journalist Nina Fasciaux, Director of Partnerships and Fellowships at the Solutions Journalism Network, believes that the crisis of journalism is, above all, a crisis of listening. In this episode, she explores why journalism should be more than the transmission of information – it should be a profession of care and connection. Over the past years, Fasciaux has trained hundreds of journalists around the world in solutions journalism and in covering polarizing topics in ways that inform without dividing. Her recently published French book “Mal entendus”(“Misunderstood”) examines how journalism can learn to listen more deeply and compassionately — and why this might be essential to bridging today’s growing political and social divides.

More information about the b° future festival can be found here: https://www.b-future.org/

The non-profit Bonn Institute addresses the media industry's growing need for networking and knowledge exchange on constructive and user-centered approaches to journalism. Through applied research, publications, events and training, the institute aims to further develop journalism by placing people’s interests at the heart of our work, which is especially important in light of societal challenges. You can subscribe to the Bonn Institute newsletter here: https://www.bonn-institute.org/en/newsletter

Credits:

Editor: Paula Rösler, Mirella Murri, Mehregan Behrouz, Cara Dühr (Bonn Institute)

Host: Cristina Burack (Bonn Institute)

Producer: Hannes Kappler (Bonn Institute)

Director: Ellen Heinrichs (Bonn Institute)

Contact: hello@bonn-institute.org© 2025 Bonn Institute (cd/xx)

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.