Deutsche Welle: Barbara Massing becomes new director general

DW Director General Peter Limbourg is stepping down after two terms in office. The Broadcasting Council has now elected his successor in the first round of voting: Barbara Massing. She is well-versed in Deutsche Welle, having previously served as Administrative Director of Germany's international broadcaster, with offices in Berlin and Bonn. She will take over as head of DW on October 1.

"I am very pleased that we have been able to recruit Barbara Massing as Director-General, who not only possesses outstanding leadership skills and journalistic experience, but also brings with her the strategic foresight to position Deutsche Welle for the future in a challenging global media landscape," said Karl Jüsten, Chairman of the Broadcasting Council, praising the decision.

Massing enjoys a high reputation within the ARD network and has excellent connections, said Jüsten, who is head of the Commissariat of the German Catholic Bishops in Berlin. Even as Administrative Director, Massing made a significant contribution to expanding DW's programming and making the organization more efficient and modern.

"Especially in times of global attacks on the press and freedom of expression, she is exactly the right person to further develop Deutsche Welle , which is internationally valued and urgently needed as a reliable and independent information provider, as a voice of freedom and democracy," said Jüsten.

Massing relies on trustworthy information

Following her election, Massing thanked the Broadcasting Council "for the trust and the opportunity to shape the future of DW together with the employees as Director General." She emphasized that fact-based, trustworthy information is "our most valuable asset." "This is more true than ever in times of AI-manipulated content and disinformation," said the 54-year-old. Regionalization, digitalization, and a vibrant, inclusive corporate culture "will be important guiding principles for our common path," Massing said of her plans.

Achim Dercks, Deputy Chairman of the DW Administrative Board, is looking forward to the future collaboration with the new Director General: "As Administrative Director, Barbara Massing played a key role in ensuring the financial stabilization and successful expansion and restructuring of DW over the past few years."

Together with Massing, the broadcaster's board of directors will continue to work to ensure that the tax-funded DW is adequately strengthened "in these geopolitically challenging times." Because Deutsche Welle must "remain a relevant voice in the world and provide people with free information," Dercks said.

Minister of State for Culture Weimer: "Strong voice of freedom"

Minister of State for Culture and Media Wolfram Weimer praised Massing as an "experienced manager" who knows how to modernize DW. "In these times of war, of democracy being attacked everywhere, of authoritarianism taking hold, it is important that there is a strong voice of freedom, and that voice is at home here," Weimer emphasized.

The election was made on the recommendation of the search committee, which nominated Barbara Massing as the only candidate from what the committee described as a "high-caliber group of applicants." The seven-member committee had conducted intensive discussions with applicants over several weeks.

Barbara Massing succeeds Peter Limbourg, who decided not to run for another term after two terms, or 12 years, as DW Director-General. She is the first woman to lead DW.

Barbara Massing has been Administrative Director and thus a member of the DW Executive Board since 2014. She joined Deutsche Welle in 2006 and, after starting as a distribution consultant, spent six years in a leading position developing the company's strategy. Prior to that, she worked as a producer for ARD documentaries and as a consultant for the German-French broadcaster Arte.

As Director General, Massing will now steer the fortunes of Deutsche Welle for the next six years – a broadcaster that offers television, radio, and online programs in 32 languages. Around 4,000 people from more than 140 nations work for DW worldwide. DW's TV, online, and radio programs reach 320 million users every week.

AR/pg (DW, kna)