University of Tübingen: SWR awards Hans Bausch Mediapreis for social responsibility in digital publics
Prize for findings on social responsibility in digital publics
The Hans Bausch Media Prize focuses on the topic of “social responsibility in digital publics”. The prize is intended to give excellent research that classifies and evaluates current media developments more visibility. With the help of studies on questions of digital ethics and the effects of the digitization of the media, debates about ongoing social change and the responsibility of the media are to be initiated.
Cooperation between the SWR and the Institute for Media Studies at the University of Tübingen
The SWR works together with the Institute for Media Studies at the University of Tübingen for the tendering and awarding of the Hans Bausch Media Prize. The prize will be awarded for the second time in May 2022 as part of the Tübingen Media Days of the Institute for Media Studies. The prize is endowed with 5,000 euros.
Responsible use of digitization
The award illustrates the special commitment of SWR in the search for answers to the question of how the digitization of the media can be designed in an ethically responsible manner and thus for the benefit of the common good. At the same time, it stands for the central idea of the Tübingen Institute for Media Studies, to analyze the social and cultural consequences of media-mediated communication and to conduct innovative research in a socially responsible manner.
“Journalistic standards and a constructive dialogue are also indispensable in the digital public. We want a positive, fair exchange in which people do not always agree, but meet at eye level. The Hans Bausch Media Prize is a visible award for valuable work and research results in this area. I am pleased that we are now able to announce this award for the second time in cooperation with the Institute for Media Studies at Eberhard Karls University and I look forward to the submissions ”, says SWR Director Professor Dr. Kai Gniffke.
Professor Dr. Bernd Engler, Rector of the University of Tübingen:
“Digitization is changing all areas of life. The media are an essential actor and driver of this process. This results in a special responsibility. The media has often been referred to as the Fourth Estate in the past. This expresses respect, but also underlines that the media must also respect the role of parliament, government and the judiciary in a democratic constitutional state. In view of the increasing influence of digital media, this will apply more than ever in the future. The Hans Bausch Media Prize can once again represent an important forum for reflection with regard to the related issues. “
Call for applications and submission As of now, scientifically sound publications, including qualification theses, can be submitted for the Hans Bausch Mediapreis 2022. It should be published original articles from the year 2021. All relevant information on the tender can also be found online at SWR.de/hansbauschmediapreis. All submissions must be received by December 31, 2021.
Expert jury from media practice and research
A jury that combines the knowledge of experts from everyday media practice and university research into media and society will decide on the awarding of the Hans Bausch Media Prize from SWR. Members of the foundation’s board of directors and the jury, which is identical to one person, are:
Professor Kai Gniffke, SWR director and chairman of the board and jury of the Hans Bausch Mediapreis of the SWR
Stefanie Schneider, SWR State Broadcasting Director Baden-Württemberg
Thomas Dauser, SWR Director Innovation Management and Digital Transformation
Professor Tanja Thomas, Chair of Media Studies at the University of Tübingen with a focus on the transformation of media culture
Professor Martina Thiele, Chair of Media Studies at the University of Tübingen with a focus on digitization and social responsibility
Professor Sascha Dickel, Department of Media Sociology and Social Theory at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
Background: The Hans Bausch Mediapreis of the SWR
The non-profit foundation Hans Bausch Mediapreis of the SWR promotes science, research and innovation in the media sector. This is achieved in particular by awarding the media prize of the same name in the amount of 5,000 euros, which is awarded once a year for a scientific work in German-speaking countries. The prize can be shared among several people or organizations. In individual cases, additional grants can be awarded. Works that
appear to be of outstanding importance for the development in the field of digital ethics or in the field of media ethics, media competence in the context of social responsibility or on the subject of media and social change,
in the field of media journalism, digitization of the media, media research or media education, contribute in an outstanding way to the promotion of a responsible use of the media in a broad public,
or in one of the above-mentioned comparable subject areas are of outstanding importance for further social development.
In 2020, Simon Strick was awarded the prize for his book “Right feelings. Affects and Strategies of Digital Fascism ”was awarded the Hans Bausch Mediapreis of the SWR. In his book, Strick examined the strategies with which right-wing ideas are anchored on the emotional level and which role digital media play in this.
The years before, the award was suspended and the foundation’s statutes were updated in coordination with the foundation authority. In 2009 the award went to media journalist Stefan Niggemeier. Previous winners included Harald Schmidt, the children’s book author Janosch, the writer Elke Heidenreich and the media scientist Hertha Sturm.