Today, the German Journalists' Association (DJV) issued a statement to which we would like to respond.

The news of the discontinuation of the "Aachener Nachrichten" requires our explanation. It is true that the "Aachener Zeitung" and the "Aachener Nachrichten" have long been virtually identical in content and design. Declining print circulation and societal changes have increasingly rendered the positioning of these two newspapers as socially liberal and value-conservative regional daily newspapers obsolete. This positioning was sensible and effective for a long time, but in times of increasing digitalization and declining print circulation, it has been increasingly questioned by both us and many of our readers.

Therefore, we have been considering a merger of the two newspapers for quite some time – incidentally, long before the takeover by our new majority owner, Mediahuis. These considerations have become more concrete in the past year. Whether this newspaper will bear the name "Aachener Nachrichten," "Aachener Zeitung," a combination of the two titles, or a completely new name, has not yet been decided. As soon as we have more clarity on this matter, we will, of course, inform our readers in a timely manner.

Regardless of the outcome of this decision, we are aware of the historical legacy of the "Aachener Nachrichten" as the first daily newspaper in post-war Germany. This legacy, and of course that of the "Aachener (Volks-)Zeitung," will always be part of our media company's identity, irrespective of the name our journalistic products ultimately bear. We will not abandon the most important aspect of this legacy: strong and independent journalism for the people in our region.