NZZ focuses on digital growth and invests in journalism
Through its «Digital Knowledge» professional development initiative, the NZZ drove the digital transformation in its newsrooms over a period of two and a half years—a key step toward expanding its market position in Switzerland and Germany.
The digital transformation remains a strategic focus for the NZZ. While the number of editors has risen continuously since 2015, the focus is increasingly shifting to new digital formats. The "Digital Knowledge" training initiative, which has now been completed after almost two and a half years, was a central component of this development, as the NZZ writes in a press release.
Since the beginning of 2023, around 300 editorial staff have completed an average of five days of training. The training courses were developed specifically for the NZZ in collaboration with the Maz Institute for Journalism and Communication and covered open source intelligence (Osint), data journalism, editorial data analysis and the use of artificial intelligence in journalistic work processes.
Editor-in-chief Eric Gujer emphasizes the importance of these investments: "The ongoing development of artificial intelligence is leading to an even greater flood of information - and therefore also to an increasing risk of disinformation and manipulation. This makes it all the more important that we as NZZ offer guidance with fact-based, credible journalism."
Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Head of Operations, Carola Ettenreich, draws a positive balance: "The high number of participants and the consistently positive feedback show that our employees really appreciated the training program. The investment in digital skills was right and important." Maz CEO Martina Fehr also sees the initiative as a forward-looking model: "The NZZ is taking on a pioneering role with this comprehensive training program."
Even after the completion of the program, the strengthening of digital skills will remain a focus at NZZ, the statement continues. In addition to further training, the company is investing in innovation and technological development in order to actively shape the digital transformation. Last but not least, these measures are also intended to strengthen the company's economic base in Switzerland and Germany.
