M100 Sanssouci Colloquium 2010 - 8 September 2010, Potsdam

On 8 September 2010 the State capital of Potsdam hosts the 6th international media conference M100 Sanssouci Colloquium.

Every year, the M100 Sanssouci Colloquium plays host to roughly 80 of Europe's most important editors-in-chief and decision-makers in Potsdam's historical palaces and gardens. Here, these prominent figures engage in discussions and debates on current political, social and media-policy matters. Over the course of its first five years, the M100 has emerged as a modern bridge-builder between East and West that fosters a sustainable dialogue between the media of various cultures and regions and that examines the influence of different media on global social and political processes.

Topic 2010: Freedom of the Press in Europe

This year, the conference will be devoted to the theme of "Freedom of the Press in Europe". A free press plays a key role in healthy democracies. And yet, journalists are faced with increasing pressures and censorship not only in Eastern European nations but also in Western Europe. For example, Freedom House has determined that freedom of the press and freedom of speech across Europe have receded for the fourth year in a row.

The M100 conference offers participants the opportunity to explore and reflect upon the actual current situation of the freedom of the press and freedom of speech in Europe. For example, participants can examine the restrictive conditions under which French journalists work; what it means to be an independent journalist in Italy; how the Estonian government is attempting to limit the freedom of the press in that country; the impact of digitalisation on press freedom; the consequences that economical pressure and cost reduction have on freedom of the press; the influence of technological gatekeepers have on freedom of the press; but also what kind of opportunities digitalisation offers. Furthermore, the relationship between the EU commission and the press will be analysed.

M100 is an initiative by the state capital of Potsdam and Potsdam Media International e.V. and the Institute of Strategic Dialogue, London and takes place as part of medienwoche@IFA. This year, it is substantially funded by the state capital Potsdam, Media-Board Berlin-Brandenburg and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This year the Colloquium is furthermore supported by Reporters without Borders.

The Colloquium is sponsored by Air Berlin and Citroën, Branch Berlin-Alboinstraße. In cooperation with medianet.berlin-brandenburg.

M100 Youth Media Workshop: Investigative Journalism in Europe

From 23 - 26 August, the M100 Youth Media Workshop invites young journalists from all over Europe to Potsdam to take part in an intensive seminar.

This year, the 6th Youth Media Workshop will be devoted to the topic "Investigative Journalism."
Investigative journalism is the most challenging form of journalism. In addition to a high level of professionalism, courage and perseverance, it involves a long process based on precise research, the development of solid contacts and the acquisition of comprehensive background knowledge. Today, a decreasing number of media bodies are performing this type of reporting. In Germany, too, the number of journalists working in a truly "investigative" manner is relatively small: the costs involved are too high, the required effort is too great and there is simply not enough time. In addition, there is a fundamental lack of recognition of how investigative journalism even functions (indeed, it is far from journalism's prevailing principle of "cut-and-paste"). And, unfortunately, the situation in other European countries does not appear to be much better. Especially in younger democracies, journalists who pursue investigative journalism not only encounter tremendous resistance; they also often confront direct threats to their lives and livelihoods.

However, since investigative journalism forms a major part of the so-called "fourth Estate" function that the media play in democratic societies - i.e. as a monitor of political bodies and companies - it is tremendously important to educate young journalists throughout Europe and to better familiarise them with the topic.
The workshops, which are headed by professional investigative journalists, are designed to include both practical exercises as well as theoretical matters. Its location is the Electronic Media School in Potsdam. The M100 Youth Media Workshop takes place in co-operation with Netzwerk Recherche, the European Youth Press and the German UNESCO Commission and is supported by Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.