In brief
German co‑editor‑in‑chief Nick Brauns said Germans need a richer, human‑centered understanding of China’s rise, calling for direct dialogue and inclusion of Global South voices. He also warned that AI should support but not replace human writers. The remarks were made in an interview published by Xinhua ahead of the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing.
German newspaper co‑editor‑in‑chief Nick Brauns said on 8 November that Germans need a more comprehensive understanding of China, and that the media should help bridge differences through direct contact and in‑depth reporting, according to a Xinhua interview published ahead of the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing.
Brauns noted that many German readers want to know why China’s economy has become powerful and why its electric vehicles are increasingly competitive abroad, but that most knowledge comes from mainstream media and government statements that offer a limited view of the factors driving China’s global influence.
He said reporting on other countries should involve listening directly to the people concerned and that voices from the Global South remain underrepresented in Western media. “Direct contact helps us challenge one‑sided narratives and understand other societies in their full complexity,” the young‑aimed daily chief said in the interview.
He welcomed the opportunity that the World Media Summit provides for media professionals from different political systems to share experience and deepen mutual understanding. The summit is taking place in Beijing from 5 to 9 November.
Turning to artificial intelligence, Brauns said AI can be used for translation and research, but that the newspaper follows a clear principle that “human beings write for human beings.” “AI should be a tool, and it should be a tool that we also control,” he added. “It should not be more than that.”
He explained that the newspaper does not intend AI to replace human writers but to support them, and stressed that the interest in understanding economic and political changes is shared across different political systems.
