Inter-European Division

APD Switzerland and APD Germany Celebrate Milestone Anniversaries

Both organizations reflect on their achievements and contributions over the years.

October 30, 2024

Switzerland

APD, EUDNews

(From left above): Thomas Lobitz, editor-in-chief of APD Germany and of "Adventists today"; Jens Mohr, Head of Press and Public Relations for the Adventists in Germany; Alexander Kampmann, Head of Communications for the Adventists in Germany; Stephan Sigg, President of the Adventists in German-speaking Switzerland; Herbert Bodenmann, Editor-in-Chief of APD Switzerland; (seated from left) Christian B. Schäffler, founder and long-time Editor-in-Chief of APD Switzerland; Holger Teubert, long-time Editor-in-Chief of APD Germany and retired editor.

[Photo: APD]

On October 24, 2024, representatives of the Adventist Press Service (APD), APD Switzerland, and APD Germany, celebrated their 50th and 40th anniversaries, respectively. The APD disseminates news from current Christian events, particularly from the Adventist world.

At the anniversary event in Darmstadt, Germany, active and former employees from Switzerland and Germany exchanged views on their work. They also looked to the past, when there were no computers, no internet, no emails, no websites, or social media. Presenters highlgihted how monthly "Informations" were typed on wax matrices and a matrix printer could be used to produce a limited number of copies that were sent by post.

Today, the reports from APD Switzerland and APD Germany are sent electronically and can be read online on the respective websites, on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter). The two services maintain close editorial cooperation.

About APD Switzerland

APD Switzerland was founded in Basel, Switzerland, in 1974, as an initiative of the Christian journalist Bernhard Schäffler. He remained its director and editor-in-chief until 2010. APD® is the legally protected abbreviation for the Adventist Press Service.

APD provides current news from the Adventist world and general information about Christian world events. APD Switzerland produces the "APD-INFORMATIONEN" (ISSN 1423-9590), which usually appears monthly, in German. In addition to the media, the recipients of this e-edition are primarily archives, libraries, research institutes, and individuals.

The free church agency is integrated into the Adventist communications structure in Switzerland. However, it works independently of the church leadership and other interest groups, according to journalistic guidelines. This includes the commitment to true, objective, and comprehensive reporting. APD's news is primarily aimed at secular media (print media, online media, radio, television), the church press, and other public information institutions.

For media pioneer Schäffler, since the APD was founded, "the truth is the best quality feature". So, it must also be possible to report objectively on unpleasant things in the church, says Schäffler, because a church that presents itself as better than it is will not find credibility in today's society.

Since 1992, APD has worked closely, editorially, with the Adventist Press Service in Germany (APD Germany), founded in 1984 and based in Lüneburg, as well as with other church media agencies. Herbert Bodenmann has been editor-in-chief of APD Switzerland since 2010.

The original article was published on the Inter-European Division website.