Hans-Dichand-Academy

Seven young ideas for better journalism

In times of multiple crises, independent journalism is more important than ever. How do you deal with fake news and political interventions? How do you deliver the best and most important stories from the readers' environment on a daily basis? Six female and one male graduate of the "Krone" Hans-Dichand-Akademie have dedicated themselves to precisely these burning questions and formulated seven ideas for journalism with a future in their final theses. In doing so, they went far beyond writing. 

The first part presents the work of layout artist Nina Auer (Vienna), editors Verena Höchstätter (Sport im Burgenland) and Magdalena Winkler (Lower Austria) and editor Marcel Tratnik (Carinthia). Nina, for example, looked into the question of how the production of the "Krone" magazines can be optimized. She has been working at the Kronen Zeitung for twelve years and is responsible for the graphics for glossy magazines as well as articles.

"I have set myself the task of analyzing the existing process and reducing potential problems, conflicts and risks. The aim here is to improve day-to-day production," says Nina. After many years of experience in the creative field, she was keen to gain an insight into editorial work.

Nina Auer (front left) at the Joanneum University of Applied Sciences

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

It is exciting to see how rapidly the world of media is developing.

Nina Auer, Layouterin

"It's exciting to see how rapidly the world of media is developing and to have the opportunity to further your education here." The "Krone" is the first media company to offer its employees academic training in cooperation with a university. The courses are held both at the Joanneum University of Applied Sciences in Graz and online.

Well-trained journalists needed
"In order to be able to respond to current developments in journalism in the best possible way, we need well-trained journalists. And that's why it wasn't a difficult decision to make," says editor Marcel Tratnik about his reasons for attending the Hans-Dichand-Akademie. He has been with the "Krone" in Carinthia for three years, where he is responsible for politics, regional events and the online section, among other things.

Marcel Tratnik

(Bild: Uta Rojsek-Wiedergut )

In his final thesis, Marcel also looked at the company's online presence. This involves individual tools, but also how postings, titles and the selection of images work. "Kärntner Krone uses the two channels Instagram and Facebook. We have our own templates for this, which are created using the Canva program," he explains.

Renaissance of the local
The two editors Magdalena Winkler and Verena Höchstätter have also focused on local journalism. "Every third journalist works in this field," says Verena. The coronavirus pandemic has been a renaissance for local journalism. Verena has been with the Kronen Zeitung since 2005 and is mainly responsible for sports reporting in Burgenland.

Verena Höchstätter (right) in an interview with Olympic snowboarding champion Julia Dujmovits

(Bild: Pressefoto Weber)

Her final thesis analyzed, among other things, what lessons can be learned from the coronavirus pandemic and what opportunities local journalism has in the future. Verena chose the "Krone" locations in St. Pölten and Eisenstadt as an example. The Burgenland native spoke with Editor-in-Chief Klaus Hermann and the two editorial directors Philipp Wagner (Burgenland) and Lukas Lusetzky (Lower Austria).

About the Hans-Dichand-Akademie

• The Hans-Dichand-Akademie was founded in 2021 by the Kronen Zeitung together with the Joanneum University of Applied Sciences in Graz.
• Over the course of two semesters, participants are taught topics such as media law, writing different types of texts, media ethics and reflections on the tensions between media and society.
• Participation is open not only to editors, but also to employees from the fields of IT, graphics, etc.
• The first course at the "Krone" was completed by 15 employees, the second by seven.

Making newsletters more regional
Magdalena Winkler's work focused on how newsletters can be even more regional and well prepared. "Due to the flood of news, it is important to filter information. That's why it was important to me to create a concept for regional newsletters. Because regional reports that are well prepared and go into depth arouse interest among readers," the Lower Austrian is convinced.

Magdalena Winkler (center) at the award ceremony for the final certificate

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

Due to the flood of news, it is particularly important to filter information. That's why it was important to me to create a concept for regional newsletters.

Redakteurin Magdalena Winkler

In Lower Austria, the "Krone" already has a regional newsletter. However, Magdalena went one step further and created concepts for four different newsletters (Waldviertel, Weinviertel, Mostviertel, Industrieviertel). To this end, she immersed herself in literature and talked to experts. Magdalena recently celebrated her first year of employment. Her daily focus is on digital reporting.

In 2022, 15 journalists from the "Krone" successfully completed their first year.

(Bild: Christian Jauschowetz)

"The visionary Hans Dichand has set up the 'Krone' well and with an eye to the future. We are currently undergoing a transformation process that will take us further forward. The Hans Dichand Academy should put us in the best possible position for the future," says Klaus Herrmann, Managing Editor-in-Chief.

The visionary Hans Dichand has positioned the 'Krone' well and in a future-oriented way. We are currently undergoing a transformation process that will take us further forward. The Hans Dichand Academy should put us in the best possible position for the future.

Klaus Herrmann, Geschäftsführender Chefredakteur

This is why the third Hans Dichand Academy course started at the beginning of October. Over the course of two semesters, the new participants are taught subjects such as media law, forms of journalistic writing and technical skills. After successfully completing the course, they will be academic journalists.

Mara Tremschnig, Elisa Torner and Katharina Wurzer have also completed the second course. Their work is presented in the second part.