In brief
Nick Brauns says German audiences want more details on China’s rise and that current coverage is too one‑sided. He argues journalists should listen directly, bring Global South voices, and keep AI as a tool under human control. The 7th World Media Summit in Beijing will be a venue for these conversations.
German newspaper co‑editor Nick Brauns spoke to Xinhua on Nov. 8 in Berlin, saying Germany’s media need to help people understand China more deeply.
He said many German readers ask why China’s economy has become so powerful and why Chinese electric vehicles are gaining ground abroad. According to Brauns, the answers are missing from most German mainstream stories, which tend to rely on government statements and limited analysis.
Brauns urged journalists to do more in‑depth work and to go “directly to the people concerned.” He believes that hearing voices from the Global South would fill gaps that Western outlets often overlook.
"Direct contact helps us challenge one‑sided narratives and understand other societies in their full complexity," said Brauns.
When asked about the role of technology, Brauns noted that his paper uses artificial intelligence for things like translation and research, but the newsroom stays true to the principle that human beings write for human beings. He added that AI should remain a tool under human control and never replace the writer.
Brauns welcomed the 7th World Media Summit, which will take place in Beijing from Nov. 5‑9, as a chance for media professionals from different political systems to exchange ideas and deepen mutual understanding.
