Barbara Massing Named First Woman Director General of Deutsche Welle

After 62 years, a woman leads Deutsche Welle. Barbara Massing's appointment signals a new era for the broadcaster.

, and Administrator

2025 October 19 . 6:01 PM

1 min read

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Barbara Massing Named First Woman Director General of Deutsche Welle

Barbara Massing has been named the new director of Deutsche Welle (DW). She succeeds Peter Limbourg and is the first woman to hold the position since DW's establishment in 1953.

Massing brings a wealth of experience to the role. She joined DW in 2006 and rose through the ranks, becoming part of its management team in 2014. Most recently, she served as the managing director for business administration at DW.

Before her tenure at DW, Massing worked as a producer for German public broadcaster ARD and Franco-German company Arte. Her appointment comes after a successful track record of expanding programming at DW. Massing has pledged to continue DW's mission as a trusted, independent global broadcaster.

Barbara Massing takes over as director general of Deutsche Welle on October 1, 2025. Her appointment marks a significant milestone for the organisation, with her extensive experience and commitment to DW's mission promising a smooth transition and continued success.