DW is helping to spark discussion and disclosure with a new Russian-language talk show Nemtsova.Interview hosted by Zhanna Nemtsova. It offers viewers a chance to hear from guests with a close relationship to Russian politics and culture who can shed light on important issues. Nemtsova joined DW’s Russian news department in August 2015.

Nemtsova’s father Boris Nemtsov was a very popular opposition politician in Russia and an outspoken critic of Vladimir Putin. He was shot and killed in Moscow in 2015  and his death shocked Russia and symbolized the deteriorating social and political climate for opposition and dissention. Nemstova has called her father’s murder a “politically motivated assassination.”

Her new talk show on DW creates a platform for free speech and an open discussion of Russian issues that would not be covered by Russian media. Programs like these build a direct connection to Russian-speaking audiences and help foster a community of independent thought and open debate.

As media homogenization and restriction in Russia continue, there is a growing demand for independent sources of news and analysis for Russian-speaking audiences. With a network of Russian-speaking correspondents and connections to Russian media, DW can provide a valuable, alternative perspective.

DW has a strong tradition of promoting free speech and media freedom in Russia. The Russian-language news program Geofaktor is broadcast daily and presents unbiased coverage of news in Russian. One of Russia’s last independent media outlets TV Dozhd broadcasts the program.

For everyone with wanderlust, where to go next is limited only by their curiosity. DW’s new travel show Check-in is full of ideas of where to go and what to do when you arrive. Taking over for Discover Germany, Check-in is expanding the focus from Germany to Europe and the world.

Along with featuring in-depth segments on a German and European location, every week the show features a different international destination with a video blogger who brings the audience along on his adventures.

The show is also including the audience and every week a viewer’s favorite destination will be featured. With fans tuning in from around the world, DW can inspire more people to explore their world and share it with others.

Terrorism, extremism and corruption are things Ahmed Al-Basheer knows personally. The Iraqi comedian has lost two family members to terrorist militias and would face great danger if he returned to Iraq. Nevertheless, Al-Basheer maintains a strong sense of humor and directs scathing satire and absurd jokes at everyone from Islamic State terrorists to corrupt officials.

Every two weeks, Al-Basheer and his team use their own money to produce “The Al-Basheer Show” from a private residence in Amman, Jordan. Up until now the show had only been published online, and despite having more then 30 million views since its 2014 launch, no broadcaster would risk airing it.

As an advocate for freedom of expression worldwide, DW is now the first broadcaster to televise the show. Audiences throughout the Arab world can now watch The Al-Basheer Show in Arabic on DW (Arabia). In cooperation with Jordanian partner Al Sumaria, the show will be broadcast every Friday evening during prime time.  Al-Basheer has made a big name for himself and will make an important contribution to DW’s presence as a beacon for reliable news and free speech in the region.

By using humor to bring serious issues to the public sphere, The Al-Basheer Show represents a small island of free expression in a sea of extremism and oppression. The success of his program indicates that there are many people in the Arab world who relate to his message and understand the deadly absurdity that extremism brings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part of the important work being done at DW Akademie is centered on raising standards of press freedom, especially in developing countries around the world. Recently, DW Akademie released a digital innovation study that analyses how digital technology can be used to improve and advance freedom of expression as understood under Article 19 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

With emphasis on the “Global South” the study looks at how fundamental functions of media, such as creating a public sphere and holding power to account, have been transformed by digital technology. It identifies a shift in focus from traditional media institutions onto civil society actors and determined individuals that are now taking the lead in promoting freedom of expression in developing countries. This is a central issue for creating media development strategies.

Contributing to this is the South2South manifesto developed by DW Akademie and IAJ in South Africa that outlines a set of principles that can be used as a guide for individuals, groups and institutions in forming a sustainable and effective media landscape.

The Media Freedom Navigator from DW Akademie is an easy-to-use reference tool that visually demonstrates how media development, press freedom and human rights intersect. It includes a media sustainability index, a media barometer, media development indicators and human development indexes along with references and learning tools that improve understanding of these important issues.

These free resources provided by DW Akademie provide a valuable service to everyone who seeks to understand more about the indispensable role media play in fostering social development.

DW represents Germany in the international media landscape, and besides providing audiences worldwide with quality journalism, DW Akademie also promotes media development with training programs for media professionals. The International Media Studies master’s program from the DW Akademie is a comprehensive part of DW’s role in fostering high standards in media. The IMS program is currently accepting applications.

Every year the program accepts 30 students from around the world. The IMS curriculum reflects the diverse career paths open to media professionals. But the benefits of the IMS program are best exemplified by what graduates go on to accomplish. Just a few careers of recent graduates include a university professor in Brazil, a senior public affairs consultant in Indonesia and a project coordinator for media development in Belarus.

Two IMS graduates also created the blog Multicoolty, which started off exploring what life is like in Germany for those coming from other cultures, and has since expanded this focus to include France, Italy and Russia.

IMS also produces a series of research books, “Edition International Media Studies”, which take an in-depth look at issues affecting different media systems around the world. The 2015 edition focuses on international standards of journalism education. Previous editions include analysis of media landscapes in Kenya and Pakistan and the role of the media in the Arab world.

With each new IMS class, a range of cultures and professional backgrounds come together to create a unqiue learning environment. Prospective IMS students have until March 31 to apply.