Deutsche Welle

Deutsche Welle has been declared an “undesirable organization” in Russia. While we have been listed as “foreign agent” since 2022 – the year we also faced a broadcasting ban and had to forcibly close our studio in Moscow, not long before Russia attacked Ukraine – this is an escalation of the crackdown on DW.    Russia may label us an undesirable organization, but that won’t deter us. This latest attempt to silence free media highlights the Russian regime’s blatant disregard for press freedom and exposes its fear of independent information.   The implications this has on our users in Russia and on everyone working for DW are severe:  ➡️ The law effectively criminalizes engaging with DW – sharing content of DW on social media is now considered a crime. Cooperating with "undesirable organizations" is a criminal offense in Russia, subject to heavy fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment.   ➡️ For Russian citizens, the ban on cooperation also applies outside Russian territory. This means that Russian employees of DW are particularly affected.  ➡️ There is a serious and very high risk of arrest for our staff when travelling to Russia. This concerns everyone working for DW, DW Akademie or any of DW’s subsidiaries, regardless of citizenship. Our DW Management team had already issued an urgent travel warning last year, which we have now reiterated. However, DW will not be muted, and we will not abandon our users in Russia. We will continue offering unbiased reporting. What users can do now:  ➡️ Find out what this means for DW – and how you can stay in touch without risking prosecution: https://p.dw.com/p/55KAb   ➡️ Get informed about how to securely bypass censorship on our dedicated info page: https://lnkd.in/ePMQki_S   ➡️ Learn about our new DW Access App, launched earlier this month: https://lnkd.in/e5Kpt4VW  ➡️ Download the DW Access App here: https://lnkd.in/e6HQ57VH We will closely monitor the developments and will keep you informed. In the meantime, you can get more info in our press release: https://lnkd.in/eXWTeV-E  , Our journalists are also covering the topic: https://p.dw.com/p/55KBf

DW Documentary "Politzek – Voices that Defy the Kremlin" is now available on the DW Documentary YouTube channels. 🎞️   In Russia, criticizing the war in Ukraine or the government has become a criminal offense. Thousands of citizens have been arrested, tried and imprisoned as so-called "Politzek" – political prisoners. Filmed over more than a year, the documentary combines investigative depth with personal stories such as:   ▪️ Arseny Turbin, targeted at just 14 for critical comments about Putin and sentenced to five years in prison. ▪️ Sasha Skochilenko, jailed for anti-war messages disguised as price tags in a grocery store, sentenced to seven years in a penal colony and freed after two years in a prisoner exchange.   The film also features human rights activist Oleg Orlov, a long-standing voice for civil society in Russia.   A co-production by Babel Doc and Clin d'oeil films, in cooperation with France Télévisions, and co-produced with DW, SWR, RTBF and VRT.   DW premiered the documentary in Berlin on November 27 before 300 international guests, including Nobel laureate Dmitry Muratov, Orlov, Sasha Skochilenko and the directors Manon Loizeau, Ekaterina Mamontova and Sacha (Alexandra) Koulaeva.   ➡️ Watch now on DW Documentary YouTube (links in comments). ℹ️ More about the premiere: https://lnkd.in/ehibdeRs

Ever wondered what happens before the tough questions get asked? 🎤 Go behind the scenes with DW's anchor-at-large, Sarah Kelly, at the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum as she prepares for an in-depth conversation with Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in a special edition of Conflict Zone. See how global issues take center stage as they discuss the Israel-Hamas war, Trump's 20-point peace plan, and what's really possible in the next phase of negotiations. 📽️ Watch the full interview here: https://lnkd.in/eAqgjaM2 #ConflictZone #DWNews #BerlinForeignPolicyForum #SarahKelly

DW Access: A timely response to censorship around the world    Access to independent information is increasingly under threat in many parts of the world. Internet shutdowns and censorship have intensified in countries such as Iran, Russia, and China. DW has developed DW Access, a lightweight app that helps users stay informed even under the most challenging conditions. The app was created outside traditional app stores to ensure independence and reduce exposure to restrictions. Key features include: ✔ Integrated VPN for secure access ✔ No personal data transmission ✔ Offline reading with pre-cached content ✔ Data-saving mode for limited connectivity   Download DW Access: https://lnkd.in/ekqhw4fM Read more in our press release: https://lnkd.in/e9JtjAu8

ICYMI: DW has set up an office in Tamil Nadu, India!    Last week, DW's Managing Director Programming and #DWAmbassador Dr. Nadja Scholz joined our DW Tamil editorial team for the inauguration in the city of Chennai, India.    It was the perfect moment for fellow #DWAmbassador Johanna Rüdiger to ask: 👉 Why is this region so important for DW's reporting in South Asia?

Women make up almost half of the world's population.    But in the global news business, they're still showing up in smaller numbers than men — and the reasons go far beyond "lack of interest."    📊 That's what WAYS – the Women and Youth Study by DW set out to explore. Conducted by DW's Market and Audience Insights team, on the initiative and in collaboration with DW's Editor-in-Chief team, the research dives into why women consume less news and what can be done to close the gap.    Just a glimpse: three insights from WAYS ✅ There's no one-size-fits-all female audience: Women's news habits differ by culture, life stage, and connectivity. Avoid stereotypes; embrace diversity. ✅ Representation matters: Women engage more when they see themselves reflected in stories — as experts, protagonists, and decision-makers. ✅ Platform choice is critical: TikTok and Instagram outperform YouTube for female engagement. Mobile-first, visual formats resonate strongly with younger women.    The takeaway? To reach more women and younger audiences, news content must be inclusive, relevant, and easy to access. That means rethinking not just what we tell, but how we tell it; from diverse voices and relatable narratives to formats optimized for mobile and social platforms.    👉 Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/eYmhN7yR

🚨 Last chance! Applications for DW's journalism traineeship 2027/2028 close on November 17! Mexican journalist and #DWAmbassador Emilio Reynoso is about to start his "Volo" journey in January 2026—and he's eager to find out what's in store. To get the inside scoop, he spoke with Shristi Mangal Pal, who completed her traineeship in the previous cohort and now works in DW's News and Current Affairs team. So, if you're still undecided, hear firsthand why this program can be a game-changer for your journalism career. ⬇️

We were proud to host this year's Access Services Community Meeting of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) at our Funkhaus in Bonn! Together, we explored how accessibility drives inclusion, innovation, and equal opportunities. Let's keep building a media landscape that truly serves everyone. Because accessibility matters – for our teams and for audiences worldwide.

Wie viel Macht haben Plattformen – und wie viel Regulierung braucht der digitale Diskurs?    Rund 100 Gäste folgten am 6. November der Einladung der DW und des Instituts für Medienrecht und Kommunikationsrecht der Universität zu Köln ins Berliner Allianz Forum zur Global Media Law-Konferenz 2025.    Im Fokus: Die Rolle von Plattformen als Gatekeeper, die Sichtbarkeit journalistischer Inhalte, der Einfluss von Algorithmen – und die Frage, wie demokratische Diskurse im digitalen Raum geschützt werden können.    📌 Renate Nikolay von der EU-Kommission kündigte an, dass die Inhalte traditioneller Medien auf digitalen Plattformen künftig besser auffindbar sein sollen. Die EU-Kommission will im Rahmen einer Reform der audiovisuellen Medienrichtlinie sicherstellen, dass Qualitätsjournalismus im digitalen Raum nicht untergeht. 📌 DW-Intendantin Barbara Massing forderte mehr Transparenz bei KI-gestützten Plattforminhalten: "Die Gatekeeper-Funktion der Plattformen muss mit demokratischer Verantwortung einhergehen."    📌 Martin Rabanus, MdB, betonte die Notwendigkeit, bestehende Regelwerke weiterzuentwickeln, während Vertreter von TikTok und YouTube ihre Perspektiven auf Regulierung und Algorithmusgestaltung einbrachten.    📌 Prof. Dr. Dieter Dörr warnte eindringlich vor der Meinungsmacht weniger Digitalkonzerne: "Das verändert demokratierelevante Debatten in erheblicher Weise."    Ein Abend mit klarer Botschaft: Demokratie braucht Regeln – auch im digitalen Raum.    ➡️ Weitere Stimmen von der Veranstaltung: https://lnkd.in/eT8k7kPR 📸 Boris Geilert/DW