Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany’s international broadcaster, has launched a Bengali-language TikTok channel aimed at reaching young audiences in Bangladesh with short-form news and current affairs content.
The “DW Bangla TikTok” channel was formally launched today afternoon at an event at The Daily Star’s Tawfiq Azim Seminar Hall in Dhaka.
Program organizers said DW had built a substantial audience base and partnerships in Bangladesh over the past few years through its digital platforms. The new channel comes as short-form vertical video continues to gain popularity globally, particularly among younger audiences.
Sanjiv Burman, head of DW’s Bangla department, said the broadcaster was putting greater emphasis on digital platforms rather than remaining primarily focused on radio.
“TikTok was chosen to reach Bangladesh’s politically conscious young generation, who are increasingly vocal about issues affecting their lives and society,” he said.
The channel will explain complex international developments in simple language and examine how they affect Bangladesh, Sanjiv added.
These will include the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war and the crisis in Iran on oil prices and people’s daily lives, as well as issues such as the Ganges water-sharing treaty and relations between the two Bengals.
Zubayer Ahmed, one of the editors of dw, said, “DW adapts its content according to the platform. While YouTube is used for longer reports and documentaries, the TikTok channel has been designed primarily for short-form videos targeting young Bangladeshis.”
He said one of the key challenges was presenting complex issues accurately and clearly within a limited duration while avoiding confusion or misinformation.
Amrita Parvez, member of the dw bangla team, said, “the team wanted to make the content more relevant to its audience and would seek direct feedback and suggestions from viewers and colleagues.”
She said audience feedback would help DW understand whether the content was meeting the needs and interests of Bangladeshi viewers.
According to DW, the new channel will provide concise, accessible and fact-checked Bengali content on domestic, regional and international developments. It also plans to adapt selected content and develop formats aimed at engaging younger users and women in Bangladesh.
Notably, DW operates in 32 languages and says its journalism is guided by accuracy, impartiality and a diversity of perspectives, while its editorial independence is safeguarded under the Deutsche Welle Act.