Tech-Journalismus-Fellowship: The Fellows 2026 Are Set
The Publix Tech Journalism Fellowship is launching its first cohort: An independent jury has selected five journalists to take part in this professional development program, where they will gain in-depth insights into technology and technology policy. The first cohort will focus on the theme “Ethical AI”—the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence.
The Fellows 2026
What can they expect?
In two two-week blocks, the program offers intensive networking and research opportunities in Germany and other European countries, as well as insights into how AI systems work and how they are regulated at both the EU and federal levels. It also enables exchanges with newsrooms, researchers, developers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.
Who are the 2026 Fellows?
The five fellows are freelance and staff journalists with a strong interest in critically examining AI-based technologies and reporting on this field over the long term.
- Bastian Hosan is a business journalist focusing on digital topics. He has written for Business Punk, Capital, and Strive, and now increasingly reports for Tagesspiegel Background on public administration and smart city issues.
- Sonja Peteranderl was an editor at Der Spiegel and Wired. She reports, among others, for ARD, DIE ZEIT, and AlgorithmWatch on cybercrime, security, and technology. She founded the School of Conflict & Peace as well as the think tank Buzzing Cities Lab, which researches the impact of digitalization on crime.
- Carina Schroeder has been working as a freelance audio journalist for public broadcasters since 2016, focusing on science journalism. She is the host of the podcasts KI verstehen and Über Podcast, and also works as a producer of Der Rest ist Geschichte.
- Jonathan Kemper writes, among others, for the AI specialist outlet The Decoder, for Photografix-Magazin.de, and for the weekly newsletter Hype from the YouTube channel c’t 3003. In 2024, he published his first non-fiction book about AI in the series Explain It to Me Like I’m 5.
Fatemeh Khodadadian worked as an IT consultant before moving into journalism. After completing a traineeship at Bayerischer Rundfunk, she now works across media formats on power structures, institutional dynamics, and the perspectives of marginalized groups.
The Jury
The fellows were selected by an independent jury:
- Lisa Hegemann, Head of the Digital Desk at the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT
- Prof. Dr. Wiebke Loosen, Senior Researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Media Research and Professor at the University of Hamburg
Felix Kartte, policy entrepreneur and special adviser to the European Commission
Publix is the host organization of the Tech Journalism Fellowship. The program is funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM).
