Harbingers’ Magazine team shines at DW Global Media Forum 2024

By Tatev Hovhannisyan

The Harbingers’ Magazine team, comprising Alia Saphier, 17, News Publisher; Tatev Hovhannisyan, Deputy Editor-in-chief and Academic Director at Oxford School for the Future of Journalism (OXSFJ); and Carolina Loza León, a tutor at OXSFJ based in Ecuador, showcased their innovative journalism initiative at the DW Global Media Forum on June 17 and 18.

The annual conference, held at the World Conference Center Bonn (WCCB), drew over 1,000 media professionals from more than 120 countries. This year’s theme ‘Sharing Solutions’ highlighted the need for collaborative approaches to global media challenges.

“Visiting this conference was one of the most unique experiences of my educational life,” said Alia Saphier. “I was able to witness first-hand how journalists discuss and network with one another, all gathered with the purpose of finding solutions to the world’s largest journalistic issues. Introducing Harbingers’ Magazine at such a prestigious event was exhilarating.”

Tatev Hovhannisyan emphasised the significance of the conference for their team. “The forum provided an amazing opportunity to build stronger networking foundations and introduce our youngest newsroom to a global audience. The connections made here could lead to impactful collaborations, opening doors to the publishing world for more young people involved in the Harbingers’ Magazine project,” she said.

Since its inception in 2008, the DW Global Media Forum has offered a unique interdisciplinary platform for media professionals. It facilitates learning and collaboration through intercultural and interdisciplinary exchanges. This year’s event was no exception, featuring dynamic interactions, workshops, and extensive networking opportunities.

Carolina Loza León, who also serves as a DW fellow, reflected on the experience: “Participating in the forum and connecting with so many talented media professionals from around the world has been incredibly inspiring. It reinforces the importance of diverse perspectives in journalism for fair storytelling.”

The Harbingers’ Magazine team’s presence at the DW Global Media Forum underscored the potential of youth-driven media initiatives to contribute to the global conversation on journalism and media solutions. As the forum concluded, the team looked forward to transforming their newfound connections into tangible collaborations, fostering a more inclusive and vibrant future for young journalists worldwide.