journalism school

“We impart knowledge, tools, and values to shape the future of journalism. You’ll spend six months working with the best instructors in online, video, audio, TV, print, and social before you can put your skills directly into practice in the editorial offices. In the process, you’ll build a unique network that will accompany you throughout your life. After two years you will be an editor.”

Miriam Krekel
Head of Journalism School

advantages of our journalism training

1.667 € Training allowance
per month

MacBook Pro & Blogging Kit
as work devices

The best lecturers teach practically and at eye level

Specialisation programme in the second year

Implementation of what has been learned at the editorial offices

Diverse insights into the editorial offices through job shadowing

Perspectives in one of the most successful media house in Europe

Study trip
in the 2nd year of training

Interviews and discussion rounds in an intimate setting

content of our training

In our training you will learn the basics of journalism and what it takes for the areas of online, TV, audio, video, print or social media. This is combined with verification and research workshops, interdisciplinary projects, the use of artificial intelligence in journalism and a lot of practical experience. Our focus is on digital, tech-enabled journalism. We place special emphasis on language, exclusivity and agile working methods.

Our journalism students spend the first six months of their two-year training at FreeTech – Axel Springer Academy in Berlin. After that, they go to the editorial offices of their choice for one and a half years. There they can put what they have learned into practice. The content of the second year of training also includes specialisation, job shadowing stations and a study trip.

SCHOOL  OF JOURNALISM | Important aspects of our training

Journalistic basics

  • News writing
  • Headline and lead training
  • Seminars for analog, digital and investigative research
  • Linguistics and structure
  • Verification
  • Comprehensive interview training (for text, audio, video, in front of and behind the camera)
  • Portrait and reportage workshops
  • Press law, questions of journalistic ethics

Focus workshops

  • Multimedia storytelling
  • Mobile reporting
  • TV (shooting, editing and production of contributions)
  • Data journalism
  • Use of Artificial Intelligence in Journalism
  • On-air and speaking training, moderation coaching
  • Production of platform-oriented video content
  • Podcast training
  • SEO and Audience Development

Interdisciplinary work

Journalism students and tech talent meet regularly to deal with interdisciplinary topics such as agile working, design thinking, compliance, etc. Supported by colleagues from the Axel Springer editorial team, they develop ideas and concepts for journalism that will continue to be socially relevant, technically excellent and technologically up-to-date in the future.

Editorial office

After six months of training at the FreeTech Academy, the students put what they have learned directly into practice in the editorial offices and consolidate it under real conditions. Right from the start, the journalism students work closely with experienced colleagues and produce their own stories. 

Study trip

Broadening horizons and inspiration are part of everyday life at the FreeTech – Axel Springer Academy: We enable every team to go on an impressive study trip. There, we meet exciting interlocutors and educate ourselves. 

We train you for these brands

© Axel Springer SE 2023 – Axel Springer SE wants to become the world's most successful digital publisher.