France 24 launches video competition about Europe – open to young people

15 January 2026

France 24 launches video competition about Europe – open to young people

In partnership with the European Parliament and the European Commission

France 24 is launching a video competition open to high school students, university students, and students enrolled in journalism or audiovisual schools in France and across Europe, with the aim of giving a voice to the younger generation on Europe. Participants are invited to submit an original video lasting between one and four minutes, in English or French, expressing their perspective on contemporary Europe, including its values, challenges, and realities.

Two themes to choose from:

A cohesive Europe (solidarity between regions)
Fake news about Europe and the European Parliament

This competition welcomes a wide range of styles, including news reports, documentaries, short films, and interviews, among others. Submissions are open until May 4, 2026.

A jury, composed of prominent European figures, representatives of European institutions in Paris, as well as Caroline de Camaret, Europe Editor-in-Chief of France 24, and Armen Georgian, Europe editor at France 24, will award three prizes in each of the themes, for a total of six:

The High School Student Prize;
The University Student Prize, open to students from universities, audiovisual schools, and BTS/IUT programmes;
and the Expert Prize, dedicated to students enrolled in journalism schools.

The winners will be invited to attend the awards ceremony at Europa Experience in Paris and to spend a day behind the scenes at the France 24 newsroom. A feature will be produced about them, and their winning videos will be broadcast on France 24 as part of the programmes ‘Europe Rendevous’ in English and ‘Aux 4 Coins de l’Europe’ in French.

Registration details and full competition rules:

FRANCE 24 launches a major video competition about Europe, open to young people! – France 24

[Source: France 24 press release]

Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave, Bypassing Iran’s Digital Blackout

10 January 2026

Radio Farda Returns to Shortwave, Bypassing Iran’s Digital Blackout

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) on 10 January resumed shortwave radio broadcasts into Iran following the imposition of an internet blackout by the Islamic Republic. Working with several commercial vendors, RFE/RL’s Persian-language service Radio Farda is once again providing an alternative to state-controlled media. Radio Farda reaches 6.5 million Iranians inside the country each week across digital platforms.

As nationwide protests in Iran continue, Radio Farda remains a lifeline for the people of Iran, providing vital news and insight, amplifying the voices of activists, verifying the deaths of protesters, and delivering expert analysis on the developing U.S. response.

President & CEO Stephen Capus said:

“At this historic moment, when the Iranian people have been plunged into digital darkness by their government, Radio Farda’s return to the airwaves is an essential breakthrough. We’re reaching the people of Iran with the facts they need to stay safe – and ensuring their voices continue to be heard. Our journalists at Radio Farda are working nonstop to fulfill our commitment to the people of Iran.”

In the week leading up to the Islamic Republic’s internet blackout, Radio Farda’s digital reach surged. Between January 2-8, Radio Farda’s Instagram content was viewed at least 30 million times per day – 241.8 million views total – with 96% coming from Iran. Between December 28-January 5, Instagram video viewership rose by 411% over the previous seven-day period, with engagements soaring by 481%.

Radio Farda is a primary source of international perspectives on the crisis for Iranians, providing the latest statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the House Foreign Affairs Committee Majority, and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), as well as analyses of the crisis and its impact on U.S. and foreign policy debates and analysis by experts such as Jack Goldstone, Michael Sobolik, Michael Rubin, and Ilan Berman.

For the latest information on the protests, follow Radio Farda’s live blogs in English and Persian. [Source: RFE/RL press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: The Tales Behind Kobe’s Western Specialties

7 January 2026

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in January: The Tales Behind Kobe’s Western Specialties

The Tales Behind Kobe’s Western Specialties

Stories from Kobe’s Western Cuisine January 17 Sat. 1:10/7:10/13:10/19:10 (UTC) Western-style cuisine is a comfort food the people of Kobe have passed down with love. It gave them strength as they recovered from disaster. What stories lie behind its rich, brown demi-glace sauce?
Documentary 360 BLIND SPOT: Unseen Neighbors January 10 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) As famine spreads in Gaza and living conditions deteriorate, many Israeli citizens turn their attention away. This documentary probes the reasons and ramifications.?
Japanology PLUS Thursdays 2:30/7:30/13:30/19:30 (UTC) Fridays 23:30 (UTC) Fresh insights into Japan. Stories behind Japanese life and culture through the eyes of Peter Barakan, a 50-year resident and watcher of Japan.
GRAND SUMO Highlights DAILY DURING TOURNAMENTS 16:30/23:30/4:30/8:30 (UTC) The best of today’s sumo! Enjoy daily highlights of this dynamic sport with background info and play-by-play commentary adding to the excitement!?The January Tournament of GRAND SUMO is held from January 11th to 25th.

Russia labels DW ‘undesirable organization’

15 December 2025

Russia labels DW ‘undesirable organization’

According to Russian media reports, the Russian public prosecutor’s office has classified the German international broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) as an “undesirable organization”. The Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament, has welcomed the decision. This decision followed a request from the State Duma on August 20, 2024.

DW Director General Barbara Massing: “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. Despite censorship and blocking of our services by the Russian government, DW’s Russian-language service now reaches more people than ever before. We will continue to report independently – on the war of aggression against Ukraine and other topics about which little information is available in Russia. So that people can form their own opinions.”

In Russia, cooperating with “undesirable organizations” is a criminal offence, subject to heavy fines and, in severe cases, imprisonment. Even sharing content from such organizations—such as posting their journalistic work on social media—is considered a crime. For Russian citizens, the ban on cooperation also applies outside Russian territory. This means that Russian employees of DW are particularly affected.

Since March 2022, DW has been labeled a “foreign agent” in Russia, a designation used by Russia for individuals, media and organizations funded from abroad. Prior to this, DW faced a broadcasting ban, its Moscow studio was forced to relocate, and its website was blocked across all languages in Russia. Being labeled an “undesirable organization” is an escalation of the crackdown on DW. The decision is made by the Russian Prosecutor General or his representatives. The organization concerned is then entered into the relevant register. DW has not yet received any official notification from the Russian authorities.

In addition to DW, numerous media organizations, NGOs, and foundations are considered “undesirable organizations,” including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Bellingcat, CORRECTIV, Reporters Without Borders and TV Rain.

Censorship Circumvention for DW Users in Russia

To help users in Russia continue accessing independent information, DW is increasingly relying on digital platforms and offering tools to bypass censorship, such as the Tor browser, VPN access, and the DW app. In addition, the new DW Access app offers users another secure way to circumvent censorship and stay informed. Users can download it via the dedicated DW platform www.access-unlocked.org or share it directly via messenger services or Bluetooth.

DW Russian reaches around 10 million weekly users in 2025, mostly through video content. This makes DW Russian one of DW’s top 10 most-used services. DW also produces a daily 30-minute Russian-language video news program, DW Novosti, and the satirical show Zapovednik, produced in Riga, remains popular.

Since March 2024, DW’s Russian-language programming has also been included in the TV-Swoboda (“Freedom”) package by Reporters Without Borders. This package features around 20 independent Russian-language TV and radio channels, broadcast via Eutelsat-Hotbird satellites.

DW is Germany’s international broadcaster. As an independent media outlet, we provide unbiased news and information in 32 languages around the world so that people can form their own opinions. DW’s work focuses on topics such as freedom and human rights, democracy and the rule of law, world trade and social justice, health education and environmental protection, technology and innovation. DW’s TV, online and radio services reach 337 million users every week.

DW Akademie trains journalists worldwide, supports the development of free media, and promotes the German language with free learning opportunities.

[Source: DW press release]

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in December: Our Daily Bread, Japan Style

28 November 2025

NHK WORLD-JAPAN programme focus in December: Our Daily Bread, Japan Style

Our Daily Bread, Japan Style

JAPAN DELISH Bread December 6 Sat. 5:10/11:10/17:10/22:10 (UTC) Ever heard of an-pan?! From fruit sandwiches to curry-filled delights, Japanese bread is full of delicious surprises!
DOCUMENTARY 360 Scars of Agent Orange: 50 Years After the Vietnam War December 20 Sat. 0:10/6:10/12:10/18:10 (UTC) The use of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War still scars the environment and people’s health. Filmmaker Sakata Masako has spent years documenting the victims of this toxic legacy.
Dining with the Chef Tuesdays 1:30/6:30/12:30/17:30/22:30 (UTC) Traditional techniques and resourceful recipes! Chefs Saito and Rika present their unique approaches to cooking delicious Japanese food.