“One Hour, Many Voices” at the dpa

In light of the upcoming election for the Berlin House of Representatives, the dpa hosted a dialogue event. The media organizations Berliner Morgenpost, Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb), and Deutsche Welle came together for this occasion to engage in a constructive exchange with their audiences using the Bonn Institute’s discussion game “One Hour, Many Voices.” 

In times of AI and polarization, Astrid Maier, deputy editor-in-chief and head of strategy at dpa, emphasized the importance of in-person interactions, in this case particularly in the context of political dialogue. One group of game participants discussed, among other things, how to create more and better housing in Berlin. Elsewhere, the focus was on security: How can we achieve an ideal balance between freedom and security?

The aim of "One Hour, Many Voices" is not to reach a consensus, but to listen to and value diverse perspectives within a safe space. Participants are broken up into small groups of around six people so as to foster mutual listening. In this non-confrontational atmosphere, every contribution is heard and given equal weight, unlike in digital echo chambers. Game materials such as a microphone, question cards, an hourglass and mood stones structure the discussion, while journalists serve as moderators. 

After the event, Ellen Heinrichs, founder and CEO of the Bonn Institute, underlined that mutual appreciation is more important than ever. “A lot is changing in our country, a lot is changing in our society. Forty to fifty percent of people say it would be better to keep their opinions to themselves. That’s bad news for our democracy.” 

At the end of the evening in the dpa newsroom, participants said they felt fulfilled and and that they were going home feeling “a little lighter,” as one attendee of the event told the Berliner Morgenpost. “We exchanged ideas. We talked to one another again.”

The dialogue game is designed for newsrooms seeking new ways to engage with their audiences. The Bonn Institute also provides comprehensive assistance for those wanting to implement the game. In addition to the game itself, participating newsrooms receive a practical handbook, access to moderation training sessions and organizational support for planning and running their own dialogue events.

„One Hour, Many Voices“ is available for purchase in our online shop. 

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