Bonn: DW-AKADEMIE’s New Master’s Program

“Basic or further training for journalists or media managers is rare in many developing and transition countries – and that applies even more so when it comes to advanced degree programs,” says Erik Bettermann, Deutsche Welle Director-General.

DW-AKADEMIE Managing Director, Gerda Meuer, adds “This is where we step in. We believe strong media can support the development of democracies worldwide – but only if media workers can do their jobs professionally and independently.”

22 young students from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and South America began this autumn, the new, four semester program. They bring with them an undergraduate degree, media experience and good communication skills in both German and English.

“Our priority is to offer the students a program they can actually use when they return home,” says Meuer. “Later, when they are in decision-making positions, they can better steer the media’s role to what it is supposed to do: to act as a two-way communication link between the grassroots and those in power, and between communities.”

International Media Studies is the only Master’s program in Germany to offer a mix of theory and practical experience, while also analysing the link between the media and cooperative development.

Conducted in German and English, it offers theoretical courses such as media ethics, media law, development and inter-cultural communication, as well as hands-on training in radio, television, online and print journalism.

DW-AKADEMIE has developed the program together with the Bonn University and the Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. The program is financed primarily by the Federal Ministry for Cooperation and Development and in part by the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia.