Last week, Macromedia’s Berlin Campus became a vibrant hub of discussion as we hosted the European Media Management Association’s “emmahub” conference, a new event format that brought together academics and leading media practitioners from across Europe. Focusing on the evolving roles of diasporic communities in media, the conference encouraged meaningful exchanges on how media can better serve and represent cultural diversity.
The conference began with an evening dedicated to connection and community-building among our distinguished academic guests and invited media professionals. Guided by opening remarks from Macromedia hosts Prof. Dr. Dr. Castulus Kolo, Prof. Dr. Evelyn Kästner, Prof. Dr. Eylem Yanardağoğlu, Prof. Dr. Gernot Wolfram and Christian Milster, the tone was set for an exciting couple of days.
The second day marked the beginning of keynotes and panels that addressed migration and media’s roles in shaping public perception. In a compelling keynote, Prof. Dr. Özgür Özvatan, Berlin Institute for Empirical Integration and Migration Research, discussed community-based politics in the digital age. Together with the participants he explored the challenges and opportunities of creating inclusive media policies. Natalia Grote, from the non-profit journalism platform Kohero, added a valuable perspective on the importance of diversity in newsrooms. The team at Kohero believe that this is the only way to ensure authentic representation of migration experiences in the media.
As the day continued, discussions turned toward entrepreneurship and the rise of media enterprises developed by and for diaspora communities across Europe. In an illuminating panel moderated by Prof. Dr. Gernot Wolfram, speakers shared their own journeys in creating sustainable media initiatives tailored to migrant audiences. Tikhon Dzyadko, editor of Dozhd TV, spoke on the role of independent Russian-speaking media in connecting audiences across borders, while John Oliviera from OneWorld highlighted the intersection of sustainability and social enterprise within migrant media. Voices from The Melissa Network and InsideStory shared invaluable insights into the role media plays in empowering migrant women and supporting newly arrived communities.
This day emphasized the resilience and creativity of diasporic media makers in responding to the needs of their communities within an evolving digital landscape.
Dr. Eva Flecken, Director of the Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg, delivered an insightful keynote on how regulatory frameworks can adapt to foster diversity and support diasporic communities, shedding light on the relationship between policy and representation. Independent journalist Nalan Sipar, founder of MedyaN non-profit journalism on Turkish German issue, spoke to the necessity of independent media for diverse voices, sharing personal experiences that resonated with the audience. Business Insider’s Uta Weisse brought the perspective of established media, discussing the steps traditional outlets are taking to adapt to the needs of increasingly diverse audiences.
A powerful panel, led by Prof. Dr. Evelyn Kästner, followed, addressing the challenges and advances in diversity across German public and private media. Lisa Kremeyer (Netflix Germany), Dr. Helge Fuhst (ARD aktuell), Erkan Arıkan (Deutsche Welle), and Tyron Ricketts (Panthertainment), shared their experiences and visions for a more inclusive media landscape. Each panelist highlighted not only their organization’s efforts to prioritize diversity but also the challenges that persist in achieving truly representative media in an increasingly complex social landscape.
As the final workshops brought together the insights from three days of dialogue, participants synthesized key themes and strategies for ongoing research. Hosting the Emmahub Conference has been an honor for Macromedia University, affirming our commitment to fostering inclusive and innovative media practices. The event has provided not only a platform for reflection but also a starting point for tangible advancements in both academia and the media industry.