Institute for Moderation
The Institute for Moderation (imo) is the only university institute in Germany that specialises in journalistic moderation. Since it was founded in 2009 at the Hochschule der Medien, it has been a platform and talent factory for people who want to moderate responsibly in the media.
Qualification programmes with strong partners
In the one-year moderation qualification programme, 15 young journalists receive practical, individual and theoretically sound training each year. The programme includes all important moderation formats, from TV to radio, podcasts, digital formats and events. With this claim, imo sets a conscious counterpoint to disinformation and sensory overload in the digital space and strengthens journalistic attitude, clarity and dialogue skills.
Lecturers from the field, intensive studio training, modern didactic concepts and strong partners such as Südwestrundfunk (SWR) contribute to the high quality of the programme. The result is a unique combination of research, teaching and media reality - for a moderation that provides orientation and acts at eye level with the audience.
FAQ
- Journalists from all media and platforms: Internet, social media, radio, television, print
- Students of the Master's degree programme in Media Master (Unternehmenskommunikation or Medienmanagement) at the Hochschule der Medien who already have journalistic experience and/or moderation experience
- Reporters and editors from Südwestrundfunk (SWR) in accordance with SWR guidelines
- Employees from press offices and marketing departments who want to professionalise their skills in front of the camera, on stage or in social media
- Those interested in further training in the field of journalistic moderation
The prerequisite is successful participation in the selection process - a casting in which both personality and journalistic profile count.
In the programme, you will learn how to present professionally and confidently. You will practise critical interviewing, talk moderation, teleprompter applications, moderation in social media, body language and voice. Always practical, individually supported and journalistically sound.
The qualification programme runs for one year and comprises twelve weekend workshops (usually on Fridays and Saturdays). The modules build on each other in terms of content and are led by professors from the HdM and experienced professionals from the media industry. You can also gain your first moderation experience as a co-host on the SPRICH:STUTTGART podcast.
You should have a basic knowledge of journalism, e.g. through an internship or freelance work for a media organisation. Curiosity, a confident manner, a good feel for language and a willingness to develop your skills in front of a camera, microphone and audience are important. Initial moderation experience is an advantage, but not a must.
The qualification programme starts every year in October and runs for one year. It consists of twelve weekend workshops (usually on Fridays and Saturdays). The workshops teach content that is deepened in practical exercises and studio training sessions. There is also the opportunity to take part in the SPRICH:STUTTGART podcast.
Participation in the Moderation qualification programme is free of charge for HdM Master's students and reporters and editors of the cooperation partner Südwestrundfunk (SWR). Applicants from the external contingent pay participation fees of €4,999 for the entire programme. (as of July 2025)
You apply online with a short letter of motivation, CV, a relevant certificate and journalistic work samples or other references. You should also submit a meaningful introductory video. (max. 3 minutes long) Selected applicants will be invited to a casting in July. The programme starts annually in October. More information about the application can be found here.
Learning and applying in a protected space
"The good thing about imo is that it's a protected space. Everything we learn and apply directly doesn't happen live on TV, on the radio or on a stage - but "only" in front of our colleagues. And that's exactly what makes it so special. We make mistakes and learn from them without it being broadcast to the world straight away. This gives us room to be creative, to try things out, to be brave. Experienced instructors give us input and bring out all the potential that lies within us. And on top of that, we get great "co-hosts" for free. What more could you want? And nobody should shy away from "working on the weekend once a month" - but we're used to that in our jobs anyway.
Anna Klär, Stuttgart
Stuttgart Moderation Award
What makes good moderation today? Who provides orientation in a noisy, digital world? The Institute for Moderation (imo) at the Hochschule der Medien asks precisely these questions and honours formats that make journalistic quality tangible with the Stuttgart Moderation Award. Whether podcast, talk, video format or social media - the award recognises presenters who create trust, reflect diversity and break new ground in communication.
Prominent support: ARD anchor Ingo Zamperoni (right), presenter on Tagesthemen and other programmes, teaches journalistic responsibility in critical interviewing as an honorary professor. He is also the patron of the Stuttgart Presentation Prize, which he awards every year.
Contact us
Phone: 0711/8923-2269
Email: imo@hdm-stuttgart.de