We are excited to invite you to the second summer school of Democratic Media Network in August 2026. Building on the momentum of last year’s education, this week-long training program is designed for building connections and exploring tools and strategies to strengthen free and independent media.
At the time when the media landscape is increasingly concentrated in the hands of a few mega-publishers, the school aims to equip its participants with the skills to reclaim the narrative space. Over the course of the week, we will critically examine media’s central role in today’s society, explore techniques to challenge the dominant narratives, and study new tools to improve our investigations, reporting, and newsroom practices.
The overarching theme of this year’s program focuses on media’s responsibilities in times of war and conflict. From storytelling techniques to investigative methods, we explore the power of free press to advance peace, justice, and self-determination. Alongside hands-on training sessions and strategic debates, participants will have space and time to present their own work, forge collaborations, and learn directly from one another’s practices. As a whole, we aim to sharpen our vision of what truly free and democratic media must look like in the 21st century.
The full program will be shared after registration.
Dates: 16.-22.08.2026
Location: Landau, Bavaria, Germany, Germany
What is Democratic Media Network
Democratic Media Network was founded by and for independent media projects at the Peoples’ Platform Europe conference in Vienna, in February 2025. The conference drew together more than 800 delegates representing 160 organizations from more than 30 European countries to intensify transnational collaboration on topics such as ecology, feminism, anti-militarism, and free media.
Democratic Media Network was set up a result of the conference to bring under a shared umbrella independent media projects across Europe, including Swiss Radio Lora, German Jugend Info, French Contre Attaque, as well as international outlets such as Turning Point magazine and Legerin. The network aims to create a networking, education, and collaboration space to strengthen free and democratic media locally and across borders.
The first joint education of the network, organized in northern Italy in August last year, drew together journalists and media activists from across the continent. The seminars ranged from podcast production and OSINT techniques to fundraising strategies and the history of free press. Drawing on the year of collaboration within the network, the upcoming summer school turns that experience into concrete tools and field-tested strategies essential for independent journalism today.
Costs & Logistics
The summer school will take place in a rural venue in the vicinity of Landau, in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. We will send more practical information about how to arrive to registrants, and organize a car transport for the final stretch from Landau onward.
We suggest a contribution of 70 € per person to cover the costs of the venue, food, and other necessary logistics and materials.
Registration
The registration is open until June 20, and the limited spaces (40 people) will be allocated to earliest registrants. To secure your place, register early with the following form:
cryptpad.fr/form/#/2/form/view/D8JGRaNjAUaAeUYUrPclHuGsnBnuOCcP4U62OPjwmKw
After registration you’ll receive all details concerning transport, program, and other practicalities.
Meanwhile, if you have any questions, please feel welcome to contact us any time at de.media@proton.me
Looking forward to see you!
Preparatory committee 2.5.2026
