In brief
In an interview with Xinhua, Nick Brauns, co‑editor‑in‑chief of junge Welt, called for deeper, human‑centered reporting on China. He urged German media to bridge gaps through direct dialogue, foreground voices from the Global South, and keep artificial intelligence a tool behind human writers. The remarks came ahead of the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing.
On Nov. 8, 2026, Xinhua reported that Nick Brauns, the co‑editor‑in‑chief of the German daily *junge Welt*, said German society needs a more comprehensive understanding of China and that the media must play a greater role in bridging differences through dialogue and in‑depth reporting. The interview was released ahead of the 7th World Media Summit, scheduled to be held in Beijing from Nov. 5 to 9.
According to the Xinhua account, Brauns said many Germans want to know more about China’s history, economic development and international role, but the country’s explanation in German mainstream media and government statements offers limited insight into the factors behind its growing influence. He noted that “people wonder, for example, why the Chinese economy has become so powerful and why Chinese electric vehicles are increasingly competitive in international markets.”
He added that reporting on other countries should involve listening directly to the people concerned. Brauns called for greater attention to voices from the Global South, which he believes remain underrepresented in Western media. “Direct contact helps us challenge one‑sided narratives and understand other societies in their full complexity,” he said.
Xinhua highlighted Brauns’ view that the World Media Summit provides a valuable platform for media professionals from different political systems to share experience and deepen mutual understanding. He said that the event offers a chance “to exchange experience and deepen mutual understanding” among participants.
On the subject of artificial intelligence, Brauns said at *junge Welt* AI can be used for translation and research, but the newspaper maintains a clear principle: “Human beings write for human beings.”
He emphasized that “AI should be a tool, and it should be a tool that we also control. It should not be more than that.” Brauns added that his media organization “works in different political systems and has different roles and responsibilities. But we share an interest in understanding the world and its economic and political changes.”
In his remarks, Brauns underscored that the technology should support human writers, not replace them, thereby preserving the human element in journalism that “human beings write for human beings.”
According to Xinhua, the interview presented a clear stance that Germany’s public discourse on China would benefit from more nuanced, human‑centered journalism. Brauns suggested that such journalism could contribute to a more informed electorate, enabling citizens to evaluate policy choices related to trade, technology and international relations.
By advocating for dialogue and direct contact with Chinese people, Brauns highlighted the importance of institutional accountability across borders—where journalism not only reports news but also serves as a conduit for civic engagement. The interview signals that understanding China’s economic rise and global role is seen as essential for German democratic deliberation and policy planning.
The Call for Human‑Centered Reporting
Brauns’ emphasis on listening directly to the voices of those living in China, including citizens from the Global South, reflects a broader push to broaden the representation of diverse perspectives in mainstream media. Xinhua reported that the German daily publishes “in‐depth reporting” on China, which publishers like Brauns regard as a bridge to challenge one‑sided viewpoints that could otherwise influence policy without a fully balanced understanding.
This stance has civic implications: journalists acting as mediators can help citizens assess international partnerships, investment strategies and democratic choices. By offering a more complex view of China, local readers could both scrutinize government policy and discuss potential trade or technological cooperation with a fuller grasp of influence and risk.
Artificial Intelligence: Tool, Not Replacement
The interview also addressed the increasing role of AI in journalism. Brauns insisted that artificial intelligence must remain a supporting tool for human writers. “AI should be a tool that we also control,” he said, according to Xinhua. The statement suggests that, for the German press, preserving editorial autonomy and accountability hinges on balancing technology with human judgement.
He argued that as a “human‑centered journalism” champion, Brauns believes sustained democratic health depends on the credibility and transparency that come from authentic reporting. The interview therefore points to the intersection of technology, media, and civic duty in contemporary news production.
Axial to Brauns’ message, his commentary illustrates how media institutions, if they leverage direct dialogue and diverse viewpoints, can influence the ways citizens process international news. Such engagement could promote a more informed public, contributing to the quality of debate on EU-China relations, trade policy, and cross‑border technological issues.
In summary, Xinhua’s coverage of Brauns’ interview frames German media’s civic responsibility in shaping public understanding of China. His call for human‑centered journalism, emphasis on the Global South, and strict stance on artificial intelligence aim to elevate journalistic integrity while urging the German public to engage critically with a major global partner.
