This year’s Health Lab by Burda took place on Thursday with a focus on overcoming upheaval and shaping the future. And the location was very special indeed – Munich’s Allianz Arena allowed the event to be held outdoors.
Every year, 3rd May marks the day which celebrates the fundamental principles of the freedom of the press, to evaluate press freedom around the world, to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. The 2018 ranking just published by "Reporters Without Borders" shows that in no other region of the world did the situation of the freedom of the press deteriorate as much last year as in Europe. Journalists are increasingly confronted with anti-media agitation by governments or leading politicians.
In the vast majority of countries, publishers as a journalistic part of the media industry, are responsible for maintaining diversity of opinion. In Germany, out of 36,000 journalists, around 22,000 are employed by publishing houses.
"Worldwide, freedom of the press is coming under pressure and thus is freedom itself. Now in particular, we publishers must fulfil our mission with great sovereignty: to defend the diversity of opinions and the freedom of information through excellent journalistic work. We must never tire of carrying out this mission, for in it lies our future."
Philipp Welte, vice-president of the VDZ and board member at Burda, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day
