DW relaunched its channel for the Arab world yesterday, with a new focus on dialogue and programming in Arabic. Audiences from Morocco to Oman can tune in to DW-TV ARABIA for a six-hour block in Arabic – always in primetime. English-language programming will complete the channel’s 24-hour line-up. Up until now, the schedule alternated hourly between Arabic, or German with Arabic subtitles, and English.

This is just a continuation of DW’s strategy of introducing new, regionalized productions to help improve the connection to its viewers around the world.

Along with new Arabic versions of DW’s shows GLOBAL 3000 and Arts.21, the new DW-TV ARABIA also features four new talk shows, each focusing on different facets of society.

• Shababtalk is a co-production with Al Hayah TV, the leading station in Egypt. Young representatives from the democratic movement in Egypt join in on discussions with their German counterparts from youth organizations, political parties and other associations.
• On the Pulse brings Arab and German experts together to discuss issues related to democratization, politics, economics, the role of the government, justice and religion.
• Talking to the Press is a roundtable discussion with German and European editors-in-chief and their Arab colleagues.
• Guest of the Week offers the chance for public figures to come into the studio to discuss current developments in the Arab World.

DW also launched its new YouTube channel for Arabic yesterday, making its Arabic content available online to viewers around the world.

 

DW’s Ingo Mannteufel recently took part at this year’s Global Policy Forum in Yaroslavi, Russia. The head of DW’s Russian Service spoke about the role of the Internet in conflict situations and also moderated a panel about “Global Security in Local Conflicts”. The Forum took place from September 7-8 and focused on “The Modern State in the Age of Social Diversity”. Politicians and experts from around the world participated in the conference, which welcomed Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and the President of Turkey Abdullah Gül as keynote speakers.

Mannteufel spoke about “Global Media 2.0 – Role of the Internet for Global Security and Local Conflicts”, especially addressing the challenges facing the global media in the Internet era.

Why are people starving in Ethiopia? That is exactly the question that the head of DW’s Amharic editorial team, Ludger Schadomsky and VJ reporter Bastian Hartig wanted to find out as they set out for Africa. The two are reporting from what is being called the worst hunger catastrophe in the last 60 years. The two DW reporters spent time in Dolo Ado on the border to Somalia, face to face with some of the 120,000 refugees that are there waiting for food. You can listen to one of their features here.

One of our GLOBAL IDEAS reports is among the winners at the Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards 2011. The report about ingenious ways of countering flood impacts in Bangladesh by Carl Gierstorfer aired in June.

Find out more about Global Ideas or check out the specifics on the project in Bangladesh.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and Deutsche Welle is remembering how this one day would change the world forever. With  9/11 and the global consequences, DW brings you insights and opinions from around the world. DW’s editorial team is also looking for your input – How did 9/11 change your life or worldview? Submit  your thoughts, photos (with short descriptions), or both.