Julian Reichelt: editor-in-chief of Bild.de makes demands on high-speed internet for everyone

Berlin – According to Julian Reichelt, who manages and takes responsibility for Bild.de for just over a year now, the expansion is an “absolute condition precedent to a country’s further development.” In an interview with newsroom.de, he states that “we need nationwide coverage of high-speed internet.”

The focus of his work after his promotion to editor-in-chief has been the development of formats, which contain moving images. The results of his work in developing Bild.de speak their own language: with just shy of 17 million unique users and more than 179 million visits, Bild.de is the most successful provider of news in Germany.

With their new project “Behind the Story”, Bild.de offers – in collaboration with the German motion-picture production company UFA – exclusive insights to the processes behind Germany’s newspaper with the largest circulation.

“We met with Nico Hofmann and made plans for a cooperation for new film-formats for Bild.de”, Reichelt explains. Hofmann and his team are known for a high level of creativity and quality. A team presented a couple of formats, all of which did not fully persuade Reichelt and Hofmann. “We were not quite certain whether or not they would fit to the brand of Bild.de”, Reichelt reports.

But the idea came in soon: The most exciting stories are still written by life. An idea, which persuaded editor and producer Nico Hofmann.

For about three months, war correspondent Paul Ronzheimer, gossip reporter Dora Varro and football reporter Kai Psotta will be accompanied. “With those three, we cover our core segments of news, celebrities and sports”, Reichelt underlines.

For him, the journalists have to be tangible. “We have to create human brands and show faces, which stand for the brand of Bild.de.”

As an additional partner, Bild.de and Nico Hofmann could acquire Canon, which make sure the filming is executed by the best possible equipment. “Canon is my partner of choice, because their cameras are often used for high-quality coverage within the professional YouTube community”, Reichelt says.

“We will need and have a high budget in order to realize this project. After all, I see this as a test-run for a wide range of all new formats for Bild.de“, says Reichelt. Especially when it comes down to production and post-production, the team of Bild.de can learn a lot from UFA, which makes the collaboration a nice deal for both sides. “Our business is being up-to-date and being fast at what we do.”

Reichelt is happy to say that the very first reactions have been positive. For him it is clear, that his project is of use for the range of Bild.de and the journalism itself, since it shows what their reporters actually do. The makers have a clear mindset: a fast and intimate language of images, which also dominates YouTube, is key to success.

But how is online journalism in Germany supposed to happen even faster, when the frameset is not given? If the kitchen can be cleaned up in rural areas before a video can be seen without lagging and buffering, it just isn’t right. Therefore, Julian Reichelt clearly states that high-speed internet is the very basic requirement to develop a country: “We need a nationwide coverage of high-speed internet access”, the managing editor of Bild.de demands in an interview with newsroom.de.

Reichelt receives support from scientists: “Nationwide DSL is more important and urgent to the citizen, than road charge and stuff”, says Verena Renneberg, professor for online journalism at the Berlin University of media, communication and economy.

The professor of journalistic science approves “Behind the Story”: “I think the videos might very well be interesting not only for consumers of Bild.de, but also for budding journalists. Either way, the everyday life of a reporter is exciting to see. Since there are “Making Ofs” of movies as well as documentaries about the fabrication of a product, why shouldn’t “Making Ofs” about print and online articles be produced and shared?”

For Verena Renneberg, there is one key factor about “Behind the Story”:
 “As long as the vide is truthful and the production does not influence the actual reporting, I believe it is a good project. Furthermore, the demand will regulate the offer.”

Bülend Ürük