DW’s audience comes from all walks of life and every corner of the world. They personify the values that DW stands for and represent the diversity and possibility of a new globalized generation. As an international provider of news, information and learning, DW reaches its audience in many different ways. That is the focus of DW’s new corporate brochure which showcases some of the things we do best and introduces you to a group of individuals who exemplify our goals.

These are people like Hala Mahdy, a journalist from Cairo who whose daily work is a testament to DW’s values of journalistic integrity in the face of harsh conditions. Or there is Hakan Aldogan, an architect from Istanbul whose creativity and cosmopolitan outlook represent the young generation in Turkey. Mark Kaigwa from Nairobi is an international representative of Africa’s growing digital generation who has participated in DW’s Bobs awards. You can get to know more about them and the other interesting people being featured on the MyDW website.

It’s a great overview of the things we do best, whether it is DW-Akademie, the annual Global Media Forum or our internationally acclaimed television programming.  Take a moment and get a crisp and compact overview of the news, culture, entertainment and education that connects with millions of people every day and meet some of them who embody what DW is striving for- maybe you’ll find something in common.

 

Guest commentary

Naser Shrouf, Head of Distribution for Africa / Middle East 

Political satire in Egypt can be a dangerous business but it is often through humor that people understand themselves better. With his news show Al Bernameg, Bassem Youssef uses comedy to provide a way for Egyptians to laugh at themselves during a very serious time for their country. The program also creates a window looking into Egyptian society and now with DW as a broadcasting partner that window will be opened to a much wider audience.

By adding Al Bernameg to the lineup we at DW are once again showing our commitment to promote and foster advocates of free speech and democracy through working closely with partners around the world. It is a sign of where we want to go as an organization – exploring diverse formats and connecting in new ways with local audiences.

For almost three years Egypt has been struggling to define itself. The function of a free press, that is so vital to this process, has also suffered. Non-traditional media has often filled the void. Al Bernameg, through making fun of political personages and social mores, provides an objective perspective that may look funny on the surface but is serious to the core.

After being taken off the air in November, Al Bernameg is now being broadcast each week, locally and on DW (Arabia). With DW, the show will be ensured an audience stretching from Morocco to Iraq. Freedom of speech and critique of the government are values essential to building modern societies. We think that programs like Al Bernameg are an important component of the media landscape in the Arab world – and we are committed to helping get the message across.

 

 

Since the beginning of the uprising against the government in Ukraine, DW has been providing comprehensive coverage both on location and in the background. Expanding on this is Geofaktor, a new TV magazine for Ukraine launched by DW on January 31.  The 26-minute news program will be broadcast in Ukrainian once a week on the popular private broadcaster TVi based in Kiev.

Geofaktor will deliver European and German perspectives and reactions to the events in Ukraine along with coverage of political, social and economic issues that have relevance to daily life in the strained eastern European nation. The program is the newest element of DW’s widely expanded coverage of the pivotal social protests in Ukraine. Since the protests broke out, DW has been providing continuously updated reporting that is bolstered by extra correspondents sent to Kiev. The number of visits to DW’s online platforms in Ukrainian and Russian has skyrocketed in recent weeks, a sign that DW is providing those in affected regions with essential independent and accurate news coverage.

After its first broadcast on January 31, the program will be rebroadcast by TVi Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 12:00 p.m. Episodes can also be seen on-demand on DW’s Ukrainian website. The magazine will be anchored by Kristina Nikolaychuk, who has been with DW since 2004.The program is being produced in Bonn by members of DW’s Ukrainian editorial team. Geofaktor was previously broadcast only in Russian.

Every year in February a diverse collection of stars, producers and film enthusiasts from around the world flock to Germany’s capital of culture for the Berlinale film festival. The Berlinale is the world’s largest publically attended film festival and this year with over 400 films on the program, it may be hard to decide where to look first. Before you travel to Berlin, get some background and insight from DW and you’ll know where to enjoy the show.

DW is bringing the 64^th Berlinale to a global audience in multiple languages including Spanish, Farsi, Turkish and Portuguese for Brazil. On television the festival is being covered daily on Journal  in all languages and on every channel. Berlinale highlights from DW’s TV-magazines include an insightful overview from Arts 21 of what’s trending at this year’s festival and a look from Euromaxx at what makes Germany attractive for filmmakers.Three young DW trainees also produced a special feature showcasing 300 young filmmakers from around world with film at this year’s Berlinale. Check out the highlights from the project here.  You can find more of DW’s Berlinale coverage on dw.de and in the Media Center.

 

 

 

Sochi has already gotten some bad press, with many wondering if this edition will be tarnished. DW will be going in-depth to provide you a complete view of what is going on and what powers are at play. But don’t forget the athletes and the sports. DW is covering the 2014 Winter Olympic Games like never before with a combination of television and multimedia features that will take international audiences inside the action and behind the scenes with videos and commentary from Sochi. DW Sports will also cover German athletes who are in the spotlight as favorites on the world stage. Can the young skier Eric Frenzel win his first gold medal, after winning the Bronze in Vancouver? Will champion luger Felix Loch continue to dominate the track or be upset by the competition?

DW will keep you constantly updated online with multimedia websites  in English, German, Spanish and Arabic. Additionally for audiences in India, Pakistan and Afghanistan DW has produced special olympic websites in Bengali, Urdu, Dari and Pashto. DW also will be bringing together all of the news and results everyday with TV reports alongside in-depth specials that explore the wider social, cultural  and technological issues surrounding the Olympics on Euromaxx and Tomorrow Today.