Myanmar to support the
transformation process there, just
as we did in Cambodia a few years
ago. The idea is to effect long‐term
change in the countries where we
are active. We believe that
Germanyʹs experience with
overcoming totalitarianism can
offer insights for others as they
chart their own courses towards a
better future.
What about audiences in Iran?
Iran is one of the most restricted
media markets in the world. It is
also home to a very young and
internet‐savvy population that is
interested in independent news
coverage. That’s why DWʹs Farsi
service is very active on Facebook,
engaging with nearly 180,000 fans.
Monthly visits to our website in
Persian range up to 2.6m hits ‐
despite being censored. We also
provide assistance in using anti‐
censorship software to help users
circumvent the limitations imposed
by the Iranian government.
What about content in German?
We provide multimedia content in
30 languages. Promoting the
German language is part of DWʹs
mission ‐ we aim to spark interest
in the language. We have two
German‐language TV channels.
Our website dw.de/german
features in‐depth reports in
German: articles, picture galleries,
audios, videos and special
multimedia projects. We also offer a
virtual classroom for learning
German on our website featuring a
broad spectrum of multimedia
information and learning formats,
and in addition to that a plethora of
materials for teachers of German.
Are you sharing content with
Germany’s national broadcasters?
Itʹs our stated aim to strengthen
cooperation with Germanyʹs public
broadcasters. A recent decision by
German Chancellor Merkel and the
state government leaders that
supports strengthening the
partnership between DW and ARD
(Association of Public Broadcasting
Corporations in Germany), ZDF
▼
From top
DW-TV’s studios in
Berlin; DWHQ in
Bonn; training at
DW Akademie; Erik
Bettermann opens
the Global Media
Forum2013; Noam
Chomsky at GMF
2013
More than 2,500 participants from over 100 countries
took part in the DW Global Media Forum 2013 in Bonn
which over three days focused on 'The Future of Growth
- Economic Values and the Media' with more than 50
workshops and events. The interdisciplinary approach
brings together representatives from very diverse
cultures, social groups and occupations. Key speakers
this year included Vandana Shiva, Noam Chomsky and
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle. The
central theme of next year’s GMF will be 'Challenges for
the media: From information to participation' (June 30
to July 1, 2014).
German TV and Deutschlandradio
represents a milestone in
Germanyʹs media policy. What the
decision means is that from now on
all programmes produced by the
domestic public broadcasters could
in principle be included in DW
programming.
What are the milestones of the last
12 years?
Certainly August 2002, a major step
in DW’s TV business, when DW
became the first European
broadcaster to provide an Arabic
TV programme in the wake of 9/11.
Then of course the launch of ʹThe
Bobs ‐ Best of Online Activismʹ
competition in 2004. The contest
aims to promote freedom of speech
and human rights. It is now in its
ninth year and sees entries from all
over the world.
The increased regionalisation of
DW content has also been an
important development during my
12 years. In a period marked by a
huge expansion in news sources
that now include internet platforms
and a range of new international
broadcasters, DW has aimed to set
itself apart by tailoring its news
content for specific regional
audiences.
Then there is the re‐launch of
Deutsche Welle in 2012. Even
though it involved budget cuts and
the reduction of radio content, the
re‐launch was in fact a major step
towards gaining viewers, listeners
and users. Since February 2012, our
page views increased from about
40m to 60m per month. DWʹs
updated online appearance with its
innovative design, its shorter URL
(
and new functions
like a browser language detector
have been clear successes, as have
our new DW apps for a variety of
mobile platforms. Our restructured
TV channel line‐up, which includes
the new 24/7 English channel DW,
has also received much positive
feedback. Over the last few years,
we have gained 15m viewers,
listeners and users. All in all, DW
now reaches 101m people weekly
via its TV, online and radio
programming.
Which programmes stand out?
One that springs to mind is the
2009 HDTV documentary and
computer animation titled W
alled
in!
that DW presented on the 20th
anniversary of the fall of the Berlin
Wall. It offers insight into how the
wall and its surroundings looked
and functioned by way of incredibly
elaborate and detailed imagery.
Also our prize‐winning musical
documentaries, for example
The
Beethoven Project
and
Schumann at
Pier2
which follow the Deutsche
Kammerphilharmonie Bremen as
the group takes on interesting
musical challenges. This year, we
released a fascinating documentary
on the production of Wagnerʹs
The
Ring of the Nibelung
in Argentinaʹs
Teatro Colón. Alongside a
multimedia website devoted to
Wagnerʹs work and legacy, the
documentary is one of the highlights
in our coverage on the 200th
anniversary of the composerʹs birth.
What are your plans post-DW?
I want to, among other things, write
about the experiences I had during
a long and exciting career. And
pass on my knowledge to young
people by lecturing at universities.
As for Deutsche Welle, through
good journalism and a balanced
portrayal of Germany and giving a
voice to those facing repression in
their own countries, people have
come to trust us. And gaining
peopleʹs trust is the most valuable
thing an international broadcaster
can achieve.
Thank you, Erik Bettermann.
