News
Reports, Publications, Projects, Blog Posts & Podcasts from the Institute
Report of the Global Research Study “Worlds of Journalism”
The report of the Worlds of Journalism Study (WJS3) "Journalism under Duress" is now available open access. Based on responses from over 32,000 journalists in 75 countries, the report examines how journalists worldwide are dealing with risks, uncertainties, and changes in today's rapidly evolving media landscape.
AI and Research: Harnessing Potential, Understanding Risks
In his contribution, Gregor Wiedemann highlights the ambivalences that can arise from the use of AI tools in communication science research processes, as well as the necessity of precise risk assessment in this context.
![Screenshot of an article on the Verfassungsblog. Title of the article: “Ein rundfunkrechtliches ‘Solange’?” [An “As Long As" in Broadcasting Law?]](https://leibniz-hbi-de.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Verfassungsblog-Mast-Schulz-OeRR.jpg)
An “As Long As” in Broadcasting Law?
In an article, Dr. Tobias Mast and Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Schulz discuss the Federal Constitutional Court's decision on the constitutionality of the broadcasting license fee. Their analysis is based on the press release published by the Federal Administrative Court on October 15, 2025.
Ways Out of Digital Numbness
Matthias C. Kettemann is a guest on the podcast “Carls Future” by futurologist Michael Carl. During the interview, Kettemann discusses the challenges and opportunities of the digital information society. Kettemann observes a communicative overload that weakens our "cognitive immune system."
Expert Opinion on Children’s Rights and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
In his expert opinion, "The AI Regulation, Its Relationship to Children’s Rights in the Digital Space, and Options for Advocacy Approaches," media lawyer Stephan Dreyer examines how the children’s rights enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights are addressed in the regulation.
Tobias Mast Re-elected as Member of the Advisory Board
Tobias Mast has once again been elected by the German Bundestag to the advisory board of the Coordination Office for Digital Services (Digital Services Coordinators (DSC)) at the Federal Network Agency. He will advise the regulatory authority on issues relating to the application and enforcement of the Digital Services Act as a representative of academia.
Do We Still Need Public Broadcasting?
Jan-Hinrik Schmidt is a guest on the science podcast ‘Tonspur Wissen’ by Rheinische Post and Leibniz Association, where he talks with host Ursula Weidenfeld about the findings of the recently published cohesion study by ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio.
Challenges Faced by Public Service Broadcasting
ARD is celebrating its 75th anniversary and looking back on the past and ahead to the future in the program "DAS! Rote Sofa" with ARD Chairman and hr Director Florian Hager. In a film clip, media historian Dr Hans-Ulrich Wagner illustrates the challenges that have shaped public broadcasting, and continue to do so today.
Dialogue Formats in Public Service Media
What contribution can public service media make in the digital age as a platform for social dialogue? This future workshop will use scientific methods to develop scenarios and strategies for sustainable dialogue formats in digitalised societies.
Event dates
How Does Social Media Affect Voting Decisions?
6. November 2025Prof. Dr. Judith Möller will open the 2025 fall conference of the German Association for Political Education (DVPB) with a presentation on the topic: “(How) Does Social Media Affect Voting Decisions and Political Systems of Government?”
Digitalisation Research and Network Meeting 2025
6. November 2025The DigiMeet 2025 digitisation research and network meeting takes place online this year. It focuses on the topic of “Platform Governance & Power”. The interdisciplinary event aims to provide a forum for young researchers focusing on digitalization.
Journalism, Influencing, Lies: The Rules of (Dis)Information
6. November 2025Anna von Garmissen and Jan Rau discuss the rules, self-image and logic of analogue and digital media with media practitioners. How is reliable information created? Who shapes public discourse, and how?
Kidsfluencing and Sharenting
8. November 2025As part of the event "Digital Risks: Can Our Children Be Saved?", Dr. Claudia Lampert will provide an overview of how images of children are shared online, how children become content themselves, and the associated risks, ethical issues, and legal concerns.
#LeibnizMediaLunchTalk
Fighting the Fortress with Arrows.
Civil Enforceability of Due Diligence Obligations for Large Online Services
11. November 2025
We welcome Dr. Katharina Wunner from the University of Bayreuth to this Leibniz Media Lunch Talk. She will speak about the civil enforceability of due diligence obligations for very large online services under Article 54 of the Digital Services Act (DSA).
Media History Lunch Talks
19. November 2025The international research network Entangled Media Histories (EMHIS), of which the HBI is a partner, has organized an online seminar program on topics in media history for the fall. This semester, the focus is on memory, activism, and technology.
What Responsibility Do Platforms Bear for Young People’s Body Image?
27. November 2025Dr. Stephan Dreyer will give a presentation on “What Responsibility Do Platforms Bear for Young People’s Body Image?” at the 8th Media Competence Network Conference in Saxony-Anhalt.