Profile
Stories That Matter
…are my professional passion.
As a dedicated communicator in management and consulting, I work to develop teams and
organisations that deliver high performance in editorial and corporate communication.
- Communicator & journalist with more than 20 years of management experience in media
and international cooperation - Expert in digital media development, strategic communication, crisis communication
- Systemic organisational developer
Experience
Expertise Built on Insight and Dedication
Digital Media Development and Management
If we want to establish a participative, multi-stakeholder communication on the web, – what are the innovative formats required and the right ways to interact and communicate with our partners and target groups? Developing creative and functional digital working environments is at the core of my work in current affairs media and corporate communication.
Organisational Development, Coaching & Training
People shape organisations – this is not a new fact! But how can organisations facilitate people working in digital and very dynamic environments? How can diverse teams and an open-minded, creative and communicative culture be established? How can we create transparent SmartWork-Environments where engagement, collaboration and life-long learning are assets supported by many? – this is the fundamental question to creating competitive and creative products and as a Coach and Trainer Smart Work is part of my professional purpose.
Storytelling & Multimedia Content, Texting
With sustainability being a complex process, a lot of fascinating stories derive from it! I enjoy working on stories that represent the diverse perspectives of global development, be it in the global south or the industrialised countries. I am working on stories that display the interdependencies of global development and the immense challenges and solutions – be it in texting, moderation or project management.
“Creating sustainable and flexible working structures in digital communication and media is part of my profession.”
Ute Schaeffer
Professional Journalism
The keys for successful journalism did not change during the digitalisation of markets: For me, a good journalistic product is one that delivers facts and insights first hand, is authentic and close to people, understands what the questions and concerns of me as a user are and makes them a central pillar of the story. During my time at Deutsche Welle I reported from different corners of Africa and Eastern Europe and managed different language services. Professional journalism makes a difference and it is worth to be read, watched and heard when it is accurate, well-researched and transparent for its users.
International Cooperation
International Cooperation is a cornerstone of my work and professional identity. I enjoy working in English, French and Russian. Today I am proud to work in Media & Public Relations at GIZ. I am honored to engage in maintaining a few voluntary engagements in international cooperation and exchange programs between European neighbours like France and Germany – as well as in partnership programs, training and media production with partners in the global south.
Articles
The Power of a Free Press
Disinformation Is Poisoning Our Societies’ Debates and the Access to Free and Factual Information – a Basis for Democracy
In one of the latest IABC EMENA podcasts it was a pleasure to exchange with Monique Zytnik on disinformation and its impact on liberal values & democracy. Is there a shrinking room for debate in our societies ? And what are the option to protect fair debates and an access to [...]
The Hybrid Challenge — Communication is Key in Ukraine War
For The Catalyst - the blog and website of the international Association for Business Communication - I wrote a wrap up about desinformation and its key role in hybrid warfare. Read more here ...
How to Deal with the Infodemic – The Role of Disinformation in the Corona Crisis…and Some Answers
Dis- and misinformation can spread just as viciously as a virus – especially via social media – it erodes trust in governmental policy and measures against the pandemic and as a consequence weakens the commitment of the population to support and to live with pandemic restrictions2. Media dynamics that can [...]
Fake not Fact – Who Wants Reality to Disappear, and Why?
This essay was created for the catalogue of the art-exhibition NEWSFLASH in Nuremberg, organized in cooperation between the Kunsthalle Nürnberg and the Kunsthaus, which misses how digital (dis)information works and what manipulative power it can unfold. What skills do we need to deal with this appropriately and critically? The artists [...]
Fake Instead of Fact – Digital Disinformation Is Constitutive for Populists and Extremists
In der Ausstellung NEWSFLASH im Nürnberger Kunsthaus ging es um die Vermittlung von Nachrichten und die Frage wie sich diese durch digitale Verbreitung im Netz verändert. Mit den Künstlerinnen Monika Huber und Wiebke Elzel haben wir das Thema diskutiert - und dabei auch festgestellt, dass sich Manipulationskraft und Wirkung von [...]
No Algorithm Can Replace Critical Thinking – How Do We Deal With Digital Disinformation?
If no one clarifies what is true and what is untrue, then we allow interpretations to paint over reality - as happens in many populist and extremist narratives. Democratic understanding - including in the digital space - requires disinformation to be debunked. We need our own narrative: where are the [...]
