DW Director General presents new focus for Latin America

Starting in February 2012, DW will expand its Spanish-language programming from two hours to 18 hours daily.

“Latin America is a continent with a lot of potential. Due to its political, economical and cultural relevance, it is one of our main target regions,” said Bettermann. “Germany is well-respected in the region. DW is already very important for information seekers and partners from Mexico to Argentina – and we want to expand on our position and the interest in Germany with more programming in Spanish.”

Bettermann also met with the Chile’s President, Sebastian Pinera, on July 19. Pinera welcomed the planned expansion in Spanish-speaking Latin America. He also said that Chile and Germany, as well as Latin America and Europe as a whole, should work closer together.

In Mexico, Bettermann and Germany’s Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, took part in the “Young Voices” Media Dialogue – a project from DW-AKADEMIE. Participants included 20 prominent young media producers from Latin America who are bringing their ideas, stories and projects to the public forefront – often in unconventional ways.

Bettermann will continue on to Paraguay and Panama, where he plans to take part in talkshows that have been produced as coproductions with DW’s partners.