What we do: Skillfully navigate digital transformation

Our focus is on the following four strategic areas:

Political and legal frameworks

Safeguarding digital freedom

Freedom of expression and pluralism on the Internet need to be protected by laws and policies. Within the countries where DW Akademie works, we seek to strengthen civil society's ability to effectively shape the digital realm and to claim its human rights from state and political institutions. We advise public authorities on how to guarantee freedom of expression. The right to freedom of expression also implies the right to privacy and non-discriminatory access to the Internet. Digital security allows media makers and users to freely express themselves.

Making freedom of information a reality

In order to have an informed and critical public, information needs to be freely available. DW Akademie supports public bodies and civil society in realizing freedom of information. We moderate dialogue between government authorities, non-government organizations and the media. Together with our partners, we create advisory and informational services on how to exercise freedom of information. Public authorities and institutions provide information and make data available in digital formats while citizens make use of their right to access information.

Qualification

Strengthening educational structures: learning in a digital world

Keeping up with technological change requires life-long learning. DW Akademie advises educational and vocational institutions in implementing structural reforms to adapt to these changing needs. We advise universities on curriculum reform and the development of sustainable advanced training programs. Interactive and innovative learning opportunities with a focus on practical skills allow members of marginalized groups to gain qualifications. In this way, media professionals learn to work in a digital world in an ethically responsible manner.

Exploring a changing digital landscape

Academics research the impact of the changing digital environment on freedom of expression and information, as well as on media freedom. DW Akademie partners with universities in both the global south and north with the aim of strengthening networks. These partnerships and networking make expertise and knowledge available to a wide pool of stakeholders, including those from the media, business and civil society sectors. Media organizations and initiatives put research findings into practice.

Professionalism and economic viability of the media sector

Supporting professionalism in a digital world

The evolving digital landscape presents media professionals with constantly changing ethical, technical, journalistic and economic challenges. Through its consultancy activities, DW Akademie helps those involved in the production and dissemination of information to develop the professional skills and structures they need to meet these challenges: media workers acquire or increase skills in new areas of journalism and information technology; media organizations and institutions create sustainable organizational structures; and civil society organizations work more professionally. We create networks of people and initiatives who work cooperatively to advance the right to freedom of expression and information in innovative ways.

Strengthening media viability

Within the media industry, the digital revolution is turning traditional business models on their heads. In order to seize the opportunities for freedom of expression offered by a digital world, media organizations and initiatives develop viable media structures. DW Akademie supports media organizations and other initiatives in the development of innovative and sustainable business models, thereby enabling independent reporting and increased media diversity.

Participation in society

Boosting civic participation and public scrutiny

The Internet and other digital technologies enable citizens to influence public debate. DW Akademie supports its partners in making the public sphere as inclusive as possible. The Internet opens up opportunities to seek information, identify abuses and demand accountability. Independent media projects enable constructive dialogue between the government and society. Alternative, Internet-based media act as a corrective to repressive or polarized media systems. Global cooperation and new forms of digital public spheres flourish. We strengthen such initiatives and create networks linking them.
Strengthening digital media and information literacy
Social participation is not only dependent on technical access to information and communication technologies. Digital literacy also determines the ability of people to realize their right to freedom of expression and information. DW Akademie is committed to ensuring that marginalized groups and communities acquire the necessary digital media and information literacy in order to independently, critically and responsibly communicate, regardless of social barriers. Our goal is for marginalized individuals to make use of social media in a thoughtful and self-determined manner. At the same time, DW Akademie supports its partners in adapting their services to match the different languages, cultures and technological needs of their users.

Part 4. How we work: joining forces with our partners

Just like our partner organizations, DW Akademie operates in a constantly changing environment, a characteristic of the digital age. Successfully navigating these changes is an integral part of our activities.