Berliner Verlag Holds Equity in dpa, the News Agency
In a significant development, German automotive giant Volkswagen has increased its shareholding in the German news agency dpa, going beyond the 8.6% mark following a recent round of investment completed by June 2025. This growth in participation signifies Volkswagen's growing involvement in dpa's ownership.
Despite the addition of a major corporate shareholder like Volkswagen, dpa remains committed to its broad-based shareholder structure. This model, which reflects a wide range of stakeholders, is crucial in safeguarding the agency's editorial independence. The diversified ownership structure allows for investment and financial stability while maintaining independence, a balance that aligns with Volkswagen's inclusion as a significant but not majority stakeholder.
The news agency, known for its non-partisan approach and prioritization of journalistic independence, is a joint venture of German media companies. The Berlin publisher, renowned for publishing the Berliner Zeitung, the Berliner Kurier, and the Weltbühne, among others, is one such media company. The admission of shareholders in DPA GmbH is regulated in the articles of association and is limited to ensure the agency's independence from potential individual interests.
In line with the principle of "joint venture," media customers are encouraged to be co-owners of the agency where possible. The goal is to have all daily news-reporting media subscribed to the basic service. The supervisory board of dpa, which unanimously decided this in Hamburg on Monday, oversees the admission of new shareholders and the management of the agency.
The broad-based shareholder structure of dpa mirrors the pluralistic media spectrum in Germany, allowing each shareholder to acquire up to 1.5 percent of the share capital. This limitation ensures that no single shareholder dominates control, which is key for journalistic autonomy and balanced reporting. The shareholder structure serves as the basis for the agency's content and economic independence, as stated in the statutes.
In summary, Volkswagen's growing participation in dpa's ownership does not compromise the agency's commitment to journalistic independence. The broad-based shareholder structure allows for investment and financial stability while maintaining the editorial independence that dpa prides itself on.
The financial investment by Volkswagen in the German news agency dpa does not sway dpa's commitment to maintaining its broad-based shareholder structure, which is crucial in preserving editorial independence. Despite being a significant stakeholder, Volkswagen's inclusion adheres to the shareholder structure that allows for financial stability and journalistic autonomy, as reflected in the agency's statutes.
