Calls for unity among independent publisher associations are growing. Leaders say closer cooperation is needed to protect the free press. Political inaction has raised concerns about journalism’s future.
Media executives in Germany are calling for a unified front among independent publisher associations, warning that fragmented efforts could weaken the industry’s ability to defend press freedom and adapt to new challenges. At the Medienforum des MVFP in Berlin, Lars Joachim Rose, the new chairman of the Medienverband der Freien Presse (MVFP), said that closer collaboration between organizations-including the Bundesverband Digitalpublisher und Zeitungsverleger (BDZV) and the Verband kostenloser Wochenzeitungen (BDVA)-is now essential.
Rose, who leads the Verlagsgruppe Klambt, emphasized that the MVFP’s top priority is to work with the BDZV to find practical ways to bring publisher groups together. He urged colleagues to reconsider old rivalries and focus on shared interests, arguing that overcoming longstanding divisions is critical for the sector’s future.
He also suggested that the industry should explore new alliances, including with public broadcasters, to address emerging challenges. Rose said that joint initiatives between press associations and public service media should be launched soon to strengthen the sector’s position.
Philipp Welte, the outgoing MVFP chairman and a board member at Medienhaus Burda until the end of 2025, criticized policymakers for failing to act on repeated warnings from publishers. Welte called for an immediate action plan to support the free press, warning that continued erosion of journalism could threaten both civil society and democracy.
Efforts to unite publisher groups are not unique to Germany. For example, a recent global campaign encouraged over 1,000 publishers to join forces in support of journalism’s public value, highlighting the growing international momentum for industry collaboration.
