Springer opens journalism academy

Axel Springer Verlag is launching a cross-media journalism academy on January 1, 2007. The school, whose name will be announced at a later date, will be based on two pillars: Firstly, on the Axel Springer School of Journalism, which was founded in 1986, and secondly on a new development unit of the publishing house, which is working on specific projects on behalf of the Executive Board. Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer AG and responsible for the Academy, told Pressetext that the training center should establish itself as the top address for journalism training. Jan-Eric Peters, who is currently publisher of the newspapers Die Welt and Berliner Morgenpost and is responsible for the idea and concept of the academy, is to be its director. The previous director of the Axel Springer School of Journalism, Knut Teske, will step down at the end of the year and work as an author for the publishing house in future. The new academy will be responsible for the further education and training of Springer employees, but will also be open to external applicants. The exact concept is currently still in preparation and further information will be announced at a later date.