Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
💻

Die Welt

technology Maturity 9-11 climate Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: climate. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Die Welt is a major German national daily newspaper. It is published as a broadsheet by Axel Springer SE. Many people consider it a newspaper of record in Germany. This means it is seen as a primary source for important news. The paper describes its own editorial position as liberal cosmopolitan. However, most people consider its stance to be conservative. It competes with other major publications like Süddeutsche Zeitung and Frankfurter Rundschau.

Die Welt front page
Die Welt front page

The newspaper has several different formats and related media. The main publication is a large broadsheet. From 2004 to 2019, it produced a smaller edition called Welt Kompakt. This was a 32-page version designed for a younger audience. The paper does not publish on Sundays. Instead, a linked publication called Welt am Sonntag takes its place. In 2018, the German television channel N24 changed its name to Welt. Additionally, the Swiss German business magazine Bilanz became a monthly supplement in 2014.

Die Welt Logo
Die Welt Logo

The history of the paper began in Hamburg in 1946. British occupying forces founded the newspaper at that time. They wanted to create a high-quality paper modeled after The Times. Originally, the paper focused on British news and viewpoints. In 1947, it changed its policy regarding major questions. It began providing two leading articles to show different perspectives. One article presented a British viewpoint and the other a German viewpoint. Axel Springer purchased the newspaper in 1953.

Die Welt Logo
Die Welt Logo

Circulation numbers show how the paper's reach has changed over time. During the initial occupation period, it reached a peak of approximately one million readers. By 1993, the circulation was 209,677 copies. In 2014, the average circulation was approximately 180,000. Today, the newspaper can be obtained in more than 130 different countries. Regional editions also appear in specific cities. These include daily editions in Berlin and Hamburg. There is also a daily regional supplement for Bremen.

DW over Berlin 2011 ubt
DW over Berlin 2011 ubt

From 1999 to 2019, the paper managed a special literary award. This was the Welt-Literaturpreis. The prize was presented through the book supplement Die Literarische Welt. This supplement was founded by Willy Haas in 1925. The award honored international authors for their work. Many famous writers have received this prize. These include Haruki Murakami, Salman Rushdie, and Zadie Smith. It also included authors like Jeffrey Eugenides and Philip Roth.

Die Welt front page
Die Welt front page

Die Welt is part of a larger network of news organizations. It was a founding member of the European Dailies Alliance. The paper maintains long-standing cooperation with other major daily newspapers. These include The Daily Telegraph in the United Kingdom. It also works with Le Figaro in France and ABC in Spain. The main editorial office is located in Berlin. It operates in conjunction with the Berliner Morgenpost. In 2010, the paper underwent a major redesign. This included a new logo featuring a dark blue globe.

Die Welt Logo
Die Welt Logo

The newspaper has also faced various forms of criticism. A 2017 study examined newspaper publications over one year. That study found that 43% of the sampled articles were climate-sceptical. This was the highest value among German newspapers. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Amadeu Antonio Foundation criticized the paper. They claimed it used right-wing populist talking points. They also accused it of publishing misinformation regarding the pandemic. In 2008, the paper was banned in Egypt. This happened because it published cartoons depicting the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

DW over Berlin 2011 ubt
DW over Berlin 2011 ubt
556 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (3)
File:Die Welt front page.jpg
Die Welt front page.jpg
File:Die Welt Logo.svg
Die Welt Logo.svg
File:DW over Berlin 2011 ubt.JPG
DW over Berlin 2011 ubt.JPG
More to explore

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.