Future of Media:TOR in danger – Speyer is fighting for media education!

Future of Media:TOR in danger – Speyer is fighting for media education!

The decision by the Rhineland-Palatinate State Media Authority to send its subsidiary Medien und Bildung RLP gGmbH into bankruptcy is causing concern. This not only raises questions about the future of media education work, but also directly affects the 16 employees. Such an approach is seen as particularly problematic because in times of disinformation and hate online, the need for professional media education appears all the more urgent.

In Speyer, Media:TOR, a joint project between the state media authority and the city, has celebrated great success. It not only serves as a place for creative opportunities, but also as a contact point for different ages and interests. Since opening in 2022, the makerspace has developed rapidly and is supported as a flagship project by many cooperation partners, including the Speyer Children's and Youth Theater and the University of Speyer.

The importance of Media:TOR

The Media:TOR is more than just a space where technology can be tried out. Digital participation is practiced here in the form of courses and workshops that range from 3D printing to video production and laser cutting. These offerings are an indispensable part of modern education, especially at a time when media literacy is crucial. The closure of the media and education RLP gGmbH puts the continuation of these valuable services at risk.

There are great fears about the future of Media:TOR. It is crucial that professionally trained employees continue to be available in order to maintain the diverse offerings. The OK Speyer, which has so far found a home in Media:TOR, is also affected. Concern about the continued existence of these initiatives has prompted those responsible to turn to the public. They demand that Media:TOR is not simply viewed as another dispensable project.

The closure of the media and education RLP gGmbH does not meet the current requirements and challenges of the digital world. The hope is that the state media authority will recognize the importance of these facilities and continue to provide the services and tasks in the future. If all goes well, next year will mark the project's third birthday, an anniversary that should not be jeopardized lightly.

The SPD city association of Speyer and the SPD parliamentary group in the city council emphasize the importance of the current situation and hope for a positive turnaround. In the meantime, it is essential that local and state agencies work together to ensure the continued existence of Media:TOR and support the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to provide creative and educational opportunities for the community.

The entire discussion about the closure and the associated effects shows once again how important it is to continue to invest in education and media literacy in times of fake news and other challenges. More details on this topic can be found in a detailed report on www.speyer-kurier.de.