Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

RND

Random Network Distillation (RND) is an intrinsic motivation method for deep reinforcement learning agents, designed to promote exploration in environments with sparse extrinsic rewards by rewarding prediction errors from novel states.^[1] Introduced in 2018 by researchers at OpenAI, RND employs a fixed, randomly initialized target neural network whose outputs on observed states are approximated by a trainable predictor network; the resulting prediction discrepancy serves as an exploration bonus added to the agent's reward signal, incentivizing visits to underrepresented or unpredictable regions of the state space without relying on domain-specific knowledge or auxiliary modeling of dynamics.^[2] This approach demonstrated substantial gains in sample efficiency, achieving above-human performance on challenging Atari games like Montezuma's Revenge, where standard RL algorithms struggle due to vast, unrewarded exploration spaces.^[1] RND's simplicity—requiring only minimal additional computation and no episodic memory—has led to its integration with algorithms such as proximal policy optimization (PPO), enabling scalable application in high-dimensional control tasks while avoiding pitfalls of count-based or predictive curiosity methods that can suffer from overfitting or instability.^[3] Subsequent works have extended RND to multi-agent settings and combined it with hierarchical RL, underscoring its robustness as a model-free exploration primitive amid ongoing debates in RL about balancing exploitation, generalization, and computational tractability.^[4]

History

Founding and Initial Setup

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) was founded in November 2013 by the Madsack Mediengruppe, a Hanover-based media conglomerate, as a centralized editorial network to produce shared overregional content for regional daily newspapers.^[5] This initiative formed part of the company's "MADSACK 2018" strategic program, which sought to modernize operations amid declining print revenues by pooling resources for national and international reporting, thereby allowing local newsrooms to prioritize regional stories.^[5] The setup addressed cost efficiencies in journalism production, with RND initially supplying content to Madsack's own titles, such as the Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, and extending services to external partner publications, including competitors, through a collaborative model of page production.^[6] Headquartered in Hanover, the initial infrastructure included a central editorial office coordinated under the Madsack executive board, chaired by Thomas Düffert since 2013, who oversaw the network's launch.^[5] Leadership integrated personnel from Madsack's flagship Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung, with key figures like Matthias Koch assuming responsible roles from inception to handle content coordination.^[7] The structure incorporated a Berlin bureau for federal politics coverage and an early network of international correspondents to support broader reporting scopes, establishing RND as a mantelredaktion—a shared desk model common in German publishing for standardizing non-local sections across titles.^[5] This foundation enabled RND to distribute content to over 60 regional outlets, reaching a combined daily circulation exceeding 2.5 million copies at launch.^[8] The founding emphasized operational synergies over full editorial independence, with RND functioning as an extension of Madsack's portfolio rather than a standalone entity, reflecting broader industry trends toward networked journalism in response to digital disruption.^[6] Early focus areas included politics, business, and culture, produced by a core team that grew from initial setups to support syndicated articles and multimedia elements, setting the stage for later expansions.^[8]

Expansion and Digital Shift

Following its establishment in November 2013 as a centralized editorial hub for producing supra-regional content to support Madsack Mediengruppe's regional newspapers and initial external partners, RND expanded by forging additional alliances with independent regional publishers, thereby broadening its content distribution network while preserving local editorial autonomy.^[5] This growth enabled RND to supply shared journalistic resources, such as national and international reporting, to a wider array of titles, reducing duplication costs and enhancing efficiency across the consortium. By 2024, this expansion included integrations with newspapers like the Cellesche Zeitung in Lower Saxony and the Rems-Zeitung in Baden-Württemberg, extending RND's footprint into new federal states and increasing its aggregate print and digital reach.^[9]^[5] Parallel to territorial expansion, RND underwent a pronounced digital transformation starting in 2019, pivoting from a primarily print-oriented service provider to a multifaceted digital content engine. The launch of the national news portal rnd.de in that year marked a pivotal step, aggregating RND-produced articles with regional inputs to offer real-time online access to over 100 million monthly page views by integrating multimedia elements like videos and interactive features.^[5]^[10] This initiative was bolstered by the appointment of Bernhard Bahners as Chief Digital Officer of Madsack Mediengruppe and managing director of RND, who spearheaded strategies to embed digital workflows into core operations.^[11] The digital shift accelerated in 2020 with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art 2,600-square-meter newsroom in Hanover, accommodating over 180 journalists and specialists dedicated to platforms including rnd.de, Sportbuzzer.de for sports coverage, and Reisereporter.de for travel content.^[5] This facility centralized production of podcasts, newsletters, and data-driven journalism, with initiatives such as expanded newsletter formats and audio series like "Dreierbob" and "Allein unter Sachsen" driving user engagement beyond traditional print audiences.^[12]^[13] By reconceptualizing RND as the "hub for all digital journalistic content" within the Madsack group, these developments addressed declining print circulations through diversified revenue streams like subscriptions and targeted advertising, though challenges persisted in competing with global tech platforms for audience attention.^[5]^[10]

Ownership and Organizational Structure

Ownership Ties to Political Entities

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Madsack Mediengruppe, a major German publishing group based in Hanover.^[8] The Madsack Mediengruppe's ownership is distributed among multiple shareholders, with approximately 77% held by individual investors, including descendants of the founding Madsack family, and the remainder comprising institutional stakes.^[14] The most significant political tie arises from the Deutsche Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft (DDVG), which holds a 23.1% stake in Madsack as its largest single shareholder.^[15] The DDVG functions as the media investment arm of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and is 100% owned by the party.^[16] This structure provides the SPD with indirect ownership influence over RND, though no public evidence indicates direct editorial control or policy dictation from the party. Critics, including Alternative for Germany (AfD) Bundestag member Stephan Brandner, have highlighted this connection to argue for enhanced transparency in party-linked media ownership, suggesting it could compromise perceived neutrality in reporting on SPD-related matters.^[17] No comparable ownership links to other German political parties, such as the CDU/CSU, Greens, or FDP, have been documented in Madsack's structure.

Internal Governance and Leadership

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) operates as a GmbH subsidiary of the Madsack Mediengruppe, with editorial leadership vested in a dual editor-in-chief structure responsible for content under German media law (§ 18 Abs. 2 MStV).^[18] This arrangement ensures centralized decision-making for supra-regional reporting while coordinating with regional newspaper partners.^[19] Since 2023, Eva Quadbeck has served as one of the two Chefredakteure, overseeing operations including the Berlin bureau, drawing on her prior experience in political journalism.^[8] Sven Oliver Clausen joined as the second Chefredakteur in May 2024, succeeding Hansjo Fenske and bringing expertise from roles at manager magazin and Die Welt.^[20] ^[19] Together, they direct the Chefredaktion, which handles strategic editorial priorities, content production, and integration with Madsack's regional titles.^[21] In September 2025, the Chefredaktion expanded to support growth in digital, investigative, and collaborative journalism, adding Birgit Dralle-Bürgel (focus on digital transformation), Lutz Knappmann (investigative reporting), and Jonathan Sachse (data and innovation).^[19] These members report directly to Quadbeck and Clausen, alongside retained figures like Stefanie Gollasch (future formats) and Hannah Suppa (coordinator for regional alignment via her role at Leipziger Volkszeitung).^[22] This structure facilitates specialized oversight while maintaining unified leadership. To enhance strategic coordination across Madsack's network, CEO Thomas Düffert established an Editorial Board in September 2025, comprising the RND Chefredaktion.^[23] This body advises on content evolution, partner integration, and resource allocation, functioning as an internal governing mechanism without external regulatory input.^[21] Ultimate authority resides with Madsack's nine-member Konzerngeschäftsführung, led by Düffert, which sets broader corporate directives influencing RND's operations.^[24]

Operations and Content Production

Newsroom Operations in Hanover

The central newsroom of RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) is located in Hanover, Lower Saxony, at August-Madsack-Straße 1, serving as the primary hub for producing supra-regional content distributed to affiliated regional newspapers of the Madsack Mediengruppe.^[25] This facility handles the core editorial operations, including research, writing, and formatting of national and international news, while a supplementary office in Berlin supports coverage of federal politics.^[8] Approximately 50 journalists operate across the Hanover and Berlin locations, specializing in daily production of articles on politics, economy, sports, society, and panorama sections.^[26] The team generates complete pages and online content for around 34 daily newspapers, achieving a combined circulation of roughly 1.4 million copies, with content adapted via a modular system that allows local editors to insert region-specific elements without altering core narratives.^[26] Production processes emphasize efficiency through centralized workflows tailored to diverse print formats, such as Berliner, Rhenish, and Nordic layouts, enabling rapid dissemination while fostering collaboration with partner newsrooms.^[26] In September 2025, RND expanded its executive editorial board to prioritize strategic advancements in print and ePaper production, alongside digital and video formats, under leaders like Stefanie Gollasch, who oversees these operational streams.^[27] The Hanover operations integrate a cross-departmental approach to content prominence, ensuring shared materials maintain journalistic standards amid declining regional ad revenues, with ongoing recruitment for roles like program chiefs to optimize multi-channel distribution.^[28] This structure supports RND's role in supplying over 60 partner outlets, balancing centralized efficiency with localized relevance.^[8]

Content Focus Areas and Production Processes

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) concentrates its content production on supraregional topics, including national politics, international affairs, economy, society, culture, sports, and investigative journalism, which supplement the local coverage provided by its affiliated regional newspapers.^[8] This division allows partner publications to integrate RND material into their editions without duplicating regional reporting. Key output includes background analyses, explanatory pieces, and multimedia formats such as podcasts addressing crime cases, political debates, and social trends, alongside daily newsletters summarizing major developments.^[13]^[29] RND's editorial approach prioritizes timely, fact-based reporting on overarching German and global events, with thematic emphases on policy impacts, economic shifts, and cultural phenomena, distributed across print, digital, and audio platforms to reach over 60 member titles.^[30] For instance, content often features expert interviews and data-driven insights into areas like foreign policy or societal challenges, ensuring uniformity in quality while adapting to digital consumption patterns.^[13] Content production occurs through a centralized newsroom in Hanover, where specialized teams handle research, drafting, editing, and multimedia integration before syndication.^[6] Journalists produce both standalone articles and pre-formatted pages for direct insertion into partner newspapers' print and ePaper editions, streamlining workflows amid declining ad revenues in regional media.^[31] Digital processes emphasize online-first publication, supported by data analytics for audience insights and content optimization, with recent expansions into dedicated newsletter operations via the RND Fortis GmbH subsidiary launched in 2025.^[32]^[29] This model facilitates efficient scaling, as evidenced by collaborations like joint Berlin bureaus for enhanced political coverage.^[33]

Reach and Distribution

Print Circulation and Regional Partnerships

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) operates primarily as a content supplier rather than a direct publisher of print editions, delivering national and international news, analyses, and commentaries to affiliated regional newspapers for integration into their daily print runs. This model enables regional titles to maintain local focus while accessing centralized, high-volume journalistic output from RND's Hanover-based newsroom. As of September 2025, RND content reaches more than 125 media brands with a combined daily print circulation exceeding 2.2 million copies, according to the network's own reporting.^[34] Earlier figures from November 2023 indicated over 70 media brands with more than 2 million daily copies, reflecting network expansion.^[35] RND's regional partnerships emphasize collaboration with small- and medium-sized daily newspapers across Germany, particularly in northern, eastern, and southern states, to bolster their supra-regional sections without supplanting local reporting. These agreements typically involve RND producing "mantle" content—full pages or sections—for print editions, as seen with the addition of the Badische Zeitung as a print partner in June 2024, which expanded RND's footprint in Baden-Württemberg.^[36] Similarly, the Gießener Anzeiger joined as a partner, bringing the number of supplied daily newspapers to over 70 by that point.^[37] Partnerships extend to competitors of RND's parent Madsack Mediengruppe, underscoring a strategy of content syndication to sustain print viability amid declining individual circulations.^[6] This structure has supported print persistence for partners, with RND tailoring modules like editorials and features to fit varying formats, from single articles to complete newspaper supplements. By 2022, RND supplied 62 daily newspapers, indicating steady growth in alliances.^[38] The network's self-reported print reach positions it among Germany's largest editorial consortia, though exact figures depend on partner sales verified by bodies like the IVW (Informationsgemeinschaft zur Feststellung der Verbreitung von Werbeträgern).^[39]

Digital Platforms and Online Presence

RND operates its primary digital platform through the website rnd.de, which delivers national and regional news articles, in-depth reports, videos, and multimedia content tailored to a German audience.^[13] The site emphasizes real-time updates on politics, economy, society, and regional events, with features like personalized news feeds and subscription-based premium content under RNDplus.^[13] Complementing the website, RND maintains a mobile application available on both Android and iOS platforms, enabling users to access news, podcasts, and push notifications for breaking stories; the app has received user ratings of 4.0 on Google Play and 4.4 on the App Store as of late 2025.^[40]^[41] On social media, RND engages audiences via platforms including Instagram, where its official account @rnd.de has amassed approximately 50,000 followers, sharing news summaries, quotes, and visual content to drive traffic to rnd.de.^[42] The organization employs a dedicated social media and video team to manage these channels, focusing on timely dissemination of editorial content across networks like Twitter (now X) and Facebook, though specific follower counts for other platforms remain less publicly detailed.^[38] Additionally, RND offers newsletters, such as a daily edition summarizing the five key topics of the day in five minutes, aimed at providing concise, high-value information to subscribers.^[13] These digital newsletters, expanded in offerings since 2020, serve as a direct engagement tool for users seeking curated updates without full site navigation.^[43] RND produces and distributes podcasts as part of its audio content strategy, including daily briefings like "Der Tag" and "RND-Update" for quick news overviews, as well as specialized series such as "Geyer & Niesmann" on politics and "Generation E" on mobility.^[44]^[45] These podcasts are accessible via the RND app, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts, integrating with the broader digital ecosystem to extend reach beyond text-based consumption. In terms of audience metrics, rnd.de reports around 4.3 million unique monthly users, with a significant 77% accessing via mobile devices, underscoring the platform's reliance on digital channels for distribution amid declining print media trends.^[46]

Editorial Approach and Public Perception

Stated Editorial Principles

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) operates under the framework of the German Press Code (Publizistische Grundsätze), a self-regulatory set of ethical guidelines established by the Deutscher Presserat in 1973 and periodically revised to uphold journalistic standards across print, broadcast, and online media.^[47] This code serves as the primary stated basis for editorial practices in Germany, including for networks like RND, emphasizing independence from external influences while prioritizing factual accuracy and public interest.^[48] Publishers and journalists commit to these principles voluntarily, with the Presserat handling public complaints and issuing admonitions for violations, as evidenced by its annual reports on over 4,000 submissions in recent years.^[47] Core overriding principles include respect for the truth, preservation of human dignity, and the accurate informing of the public, which guide all reporting to avoid distortion or sensationalism.^[49] The code mandates a duty of care in research and presentation, requiring journalists to verify facts thoroughly, distinguish between news and opinion, and correct substantial errors promptly and prominently. For instance, guideline 8 stipulates that titles and lead sentences must not falsify content, while guideline 13 protects personal privacy unless overridden by public interest, balancing individual rights against informational needs.^[47] Additional standards address discrimination, victim portrayal, and source handling: reporting must avoid prejudicial generalizations based on origin, religion, or other traits (guideline 12), and naming perpetrators' nationalities or ethnic backgrounds is restricted to cases of clear relevance, such as preventing misinformation or serving public safety.^[47] RND's adherence aligns with broader industry practices, where violations—such as inadequate fact-checking—prompt Presserat reviews, with 2023 seeing frequent admonitions for breaching the care duty under guideline 2.^[50] These principles promote transparency, with requirements for disclosing conflicts of interest and ensuring diverse viewpoints in contentious topics, though enforcement relies on self-regulation rather than legal mandates.^[48]

Achievements in Regional Journalism

RND's collaborative framework has enabled regional newspapers to sustain robust journalism amid economic pressures on print media, delivering standardized overregional reporting that complements localized coverage. By centralizing production of national and international news in its Hanover newsroom, RND supports partners in maintaining editorial depth without the full cost of independent bureaus, contributing to the resilience of Germany's regional press ecosystem. This approach has facilitated consistent access to verified, fact-based content for audiences in diverse locales, from northern to southern states. In recognition of its contributions to newspaper excellence, RND received six awards at the 22nd European Newspaper Award in December 2020 for a special edition, highlighting superior design, layout, and informational presentation tailored for regional readers. The awards underscored RND's ability to integrate compelling visuals and structured narratives in print formats, enhancing reader engagement with complex topics.^[51] Further affirming its influence, RND ranked first in the 2019 Zitate-Ranking for press citations, appearing 53 times on front pages and leading in political coverage metrics, which reflects effective dissemination of regionally relevant analysis drawn from primary sources and expert input. This positioning demonstrates RND's role in shaping public discourse through quotable, evidence-driven reporting that regional outlets amplify.^[52] RND's expansion efforts, such as onboarding the Gießener Anzeiger as a partner in January 2024, exemplify ongoing achievements in broadening regional access to professional journalism, ensuring smaller markets benefit from networked resources while upholding decentralized editorial control. These developments have helped counteract circulation declines in isolated papers by pooling expertise for higher-quality output.^[53]

Criticisms and Controversies

Allegations of Political Bias

Critics from conservative media outlets and politicians associated with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party have alleged that the RedaktionsNetz Deutschland (RND) exhibits a left-leaning political bias, stemming from indirect ownership ties to Social Democratic Party (SPD)-affiliated entities and the backgrounds of its journalists. Specifically, AfD Bundestag member Stephan Brandner claimed in 2023 that the Verlagsgesellschaft Madsack GmbH & Co. KG, which operates RND, is indirectly controlled through stakes held by the Deutsche Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft (DDVG), an entity with historical SPD connections that allegedly influences content to align with social democratic priorities.^[17] These ownership structures, critics argue, contribute to a centralized production model based in Berlin that prioritizes narratives favorable to center-left policies on issues such as energy transition and migration.^[54] Further allegations focus on the undisclosed political affiliations of RND personnel appearing in public broadcasts. A 2024 investigation by Nius highlighted instances where RND journalists with SPD ties participated in ARD and ZDF talk shows without disclosure of their backgrounds or the network's purported pro-SPD orientation, raising concerns about impartiality in political discourse.^[55] Conservative publisher Roland Tichy has echoed broader claims of SPD infiltration into German media ecosystems, including regional networks like RND, to propagate party-aligned propaganda rather than objective journalism.^[56] Such accusations, often voiced in outlets skeptical of mainstream media consensus, point to patterns in RND's coverage that purportedly downplay criticisms of green-left policies while scrutinizing conservative positions disproportionately. These claims arise amid wider debates on media pluralism in Germany, where left-leaning institutional biases in journalism are cited by detractors as undermining source diversity.^[57]

Specific Instances of Content Disputes

In May 2024, an RND article featured political scientist Nina Bause asserting that public criticism of German government policies on migration, COVID-19 measures, and LGBTQ initiatives constituted "Russian propaganda," suggesting these views were amplified by foreign influence rather than arising from empirical observations of policy outcomes.^[58] This claim sparked backlash from independent commentators, who argued it conflated legitimate domestic dissent—supported by data such as the Federal Crime Office's (BKA) reporting of a 20% rise in violent crimes linked to non-citizens between 2015 and 2022—with orchestrated disinformation, without providing verifiable evidence of causal ties to Russian actors. Critics noted the article's reliance on attribution without substantiating foreign sourcing for grassroots concerns, such as surveys showing 60% of Germans viewing migration policy as failed due to integration challenges and resource strain. Another instance involved RND journalist Imre Grimm's 2022 reporting on regional media economics, which publisher Thomas Knüwer publicly denounced as misleading and ideologically driven, accusing it of exaggerating the decline of print media to advocate for digital consolidation favoring large networks like RND.^[59] Knüwer filed a complaint with the German Press Council, contending the pieces selectively highlighted failing independents while downplaying viable local models, potentially violating guidelines on balanced sourcing; though no formal reprimand ensued, the dispute underscored tensions over RND's influence in shared content production, where regional partners alleged centralized narratives supplanted diverse local perspectives.^[47] Such cases illustrate broader debates on whether RND's collaborative model prioritizes uniformity over factual pluralism, with detractors citing the absence of retractions despite sourced counter-data on media viability from industry reports showing stable niches for independents.

Responses to Criticisms and Debates on Media Pluralism

RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) has addressed criticisms of media pluralism by emphasizing its commitment to fostering open debate and self-criticism within journalism. In a 2021 interview, RND editor-in-chief Marco Fenske stated that the organization aims to establish a "debate culture" where differing opinions and criticism are explicitly welcomed, countering accusations of echo chambers by highlighting efforts to engage with public feedback despite receiving thousands of hostile comments weekly.^[60] This stance positions RND as responsive to pluralism concerns, arguing that internal diversity in viewpoints strengthens rather than undermines journalistic integrity. Fenske has further defended media self-scrutiny as essential, posing the rhetorical question in a 2020 column: "Who should criticize us if not us?" amid broader debates on journalistic accountability during the COVID-19 crisis.^[61] RND contends that such practices ensure pluralism by preventing complacency and incorporating varied perspectives, though critics from outlets like Tichys Einblick argue this self-reflection often aligns with mainstream consensus rather than challenging it substantively. In response to structural critiques of content centralization reducing regional diversity, RND maintains that its network model pools resources to sustain local reporting amid economic pressures, thereby preserving pluralism against the dominance of global digital platforms.^[8] RND has also publicly underscored the risks of eroding media diversity, with a May 2025 article acknowledging inherent editorial biases while asserting that robust press freedom and pluralism are bulwarks against authoritarianism, citing empirical links between media concentration and democratic backsliding.^[62] This defense aligns with broader German media reports on ownership concentration, where RND's partnerships with over 100 regional titles are framed as enhancing, not homogenizing, viewpoint variety through shared but adaptable content.^[63] However, independent analyses, such as those from the Media Ownership Monitor, note ongoing risks to internal pluralism in networked structures like RND's, prompting the organization to advocate for regulatory safeguards without conceding uniformity in its output.^[64]

Impact and Future Outlook

Role in German Media Ecosystem

The RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND), established in 2013 as part of the Madsack Mediengruppe, functions as a collaborative newsroom supplying supra-regional content—including national politics, international affairs, economy, and analysis—to over 90 partner daily newspapers across Germany. This model allows smaller regional outlets to integrate professionally produced, high-volume reporting without maintaining separate large-scale staffs for non-local topics, thereby enhancing their competitiveness against national dailies like Bild or Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. Partner titles, such as the Badische Zeitung with its 110,600 sold copies (IVW data, 2024), benefit from ready-to-print pages and digital formats, contributing to a combined print reach exceeding 2 million daily copies.^[36]^[65] In Germany's fragmented media landscape, where regional newspapers historically dominate local information provision and underpin democratic accountability through proximity to communities, RND bolsters the viability of this sector amid print circulation declines (down 20-30% industry-wide since 2015, per BDZV reports). By centralizing expertise—drawing from hundreds of journalists in Hanover and Berlin bureaus—it enables economies of scale, such as shared investigative resources and digital innovations like podcasts and the rnd.de portal, which logs substantial online traffic. This positions RND as a counterweight to digital disruptors (e.g., Google, social platforms) and consolidations, preserving a decentralized press structure that contrasts with more unified systems in other European countries. Partnerships extend beyond Madsack titles to include networks like Redaktionsnetz Westfalen, amplifying influence to potentially 6-7 million readers when accounting for expanded collaborations as of 2018.^[66]^[67]^[33] Critics, including media unions like ver.di, contend that RND's centralization risks standardizing narratives, potentially undermining viewpoint diversity essential to pluralism, as regional papers increasingly adopt uniform supra-regional sections over bespoke content. Empirical analyses of German media output highlight how such networks correlate with reduced editorial independence in smaller titles, exacerbating systemic tendencies toward consensus-driven reporting prevalent in post-war institutions. Nonetheless, RND's framework has demonstrably sustained regional journalism's market share (around 70% of daily newspaper circulation remains local), fostering resilience against algorithmic competition and supporting public service goals like fact-based discourse in a polarized environment.^[68]^[66]

Challenges from Digital Disruption and Competition

The digital disruption of the media landscape has posed significant challenges to RND, a consortium primarily serving regional newspapers under the Madsack Mediengruppe, by eroding traditional print-based revenue streams as advertising dollars shifted to online platforms dominated by Google and Meta. In Germany, digital advertising grew to represent approximately 60% of total ad expenditures by 2023, with tech giants capturing the lion's share—over 50% of digital ad revenue—leaving legacy publishers like those affiliated with RND with reduced market shares and intensified pressure to diversify income sources.^[69]^[70] This migration, accelerated since the early 2010s, has contributed to a structural decline in print circulation for daily newspapers, which fell steadily through 2024 despite modest gains in digital e-paper subscriptions that fail to offset overall losses.^[71] RND's shared editorial model, established in 2013 to pool resources for national and international coverage, aimed to counter these pressures by enabling regional outlets to focus on local content while leveraging centralized digital production, including the launch of rnd.de in 2019 and initiatives like RND OnePlatform for cooperative digital tools. However, the network contends with high costs of digital transformation, including investments in subscription platforms and audience engagement technologies, amid stagnant or slow-growing digital subscriber bases relative to industry needs. Madsack Mediengruppe, RND's primary backer, achieved around 220,000 digital subscriptions by 2022 alongside €780 million in total revenue, but these figures underscore ongoing dependency on hybrid print-digital models vulnerable to further platform dominance.^[72]^[73]^[8] Intensifying competition from agile digital-native outlets—such as Spiegel Online and Zeit Online—and algorithm-driven social media feeds further complicates RND's position, as regional audiences increasingly turn to free, personalized content over paywalled journalism. Social platforms like Facebook and TikTok have siphoned younger demographics, with studies indicating that German regional media lag in adapting to mobile-first consumption and algorithmic distribution, resulting in fragmented reach and heightened vulnerability to misinformation proliferation. Regulatory efforts, including proposed levies on tech firms to subsidize journalism, highlight the perceived asymmetry but have yet to fully materialize into sustainable relief for networks like RND.^[70]^[74] Despite innovations like podcasts and paid-content rankings placing RND in the top tier by late 2023, the broader industry crisis—exemplified by widespread job cuts and consolidation—signals persistent threats to RND's viability without accelerated adaptation to data-driven personalization and diversified revenue beyond subscriptions.^[35]^[75]

References

[1]
[1810.12894] Exploration by Random Network Distillation - arXiv
Oct 30, 2018 · We introduce an exploration bonus for deep reinforcement learning methods that is easy to implement and adds minimal overhead to the computation performed.
[2]
Reinforcement learning with prediction-based rewards | OpenAI
Oct 31, 2018 · We've developed Random Network Distillation (RND), a prediction-based method for encouraging reinforcement learning agents to explore their environments ...
[3]
Code for the paper "Exploration by Random Network Distillation"
The following command should train an RND agent on Montezuma's Revenge python run_atari.py --gamma_ext 0.999
[4]
Random Network Distillation Based Deep Reinforcement Learning ...
Apr 19, 2024 · Random Network Distillation (RND), as an exploration enhancement, can effectively improve the performance of proximal policy optimization ...
[5]
Geschichte der MADSACK Mediengruppe
Ein erster journalistischer Meilenstein des Programms ist die Gründung des RedaktionsNetzwerks Deutschland (RND) im November 2013.
[6]
German publisher produces pages for competitors - WAN-IFRA
Oct 1, 2015 · Uwe Dulias: RND was founded in 2013 by MADSACK Media Group, one of Germany's largest publishing companies. The RND portfolio comprises more than ...
[7]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) verstärkt Chefredaktion mit ...
Apr 16, 2020 · Matthias Koch, seit Gründung des RND im Jahr 2013 in verantwortlicher Position, wird Chefautor im RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland. Über das ...
[8]
rnd.de - Media Ownership Monitor
Sep 10, 2024 · The Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) is an association of around 60 small and medium-sized regional newspapers based in Hanover.
[9]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND): Cellesche Zeitung und ...
Jun 12, 2024 · Weiteres Wachstum für das RND: In Niedersachsen mit der Celleschen Zeitung und in Baden-Württemberg mit der Rems-Zeitung gehen die zwei ...
[10]
Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland konzipiert neue Digital-Formate
Die Digital-Offensive baut auf den bisherigen Bemühungen auf, zu denen die 2019 gestartete Nachrichten-Website RND.de sowie eine Reihe weiterer Podcast zählen.
[11]
MADSACK Mediengruppe beruft Bernhard Bahners zum Chief ...
May 16, 2019 · Bernhard Bahners ist neuer Chief Digital Officer der MADSACK Mediengruppe. Der 42-Jährige wird zudem Geschäftsführer der RND ...
[12]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) baut sein digitales ...
Jul 29, 2020 · Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) der MADSACK Mediengruppe startet eine digitale Produktoffensive: Neue Newsletter-Formate, ...
[13]
RND - Aktuelle Nachrichten, News, Hintergründe & Videos
**Summary of RND History, Expansion, and Digital Development:**
[14]
Bertelsmann Investments Sells Its Shares in DDV Mediengruppe to ...
Jan 10, 2024 · DDV Mediengruppe is 60 percent owned by Bertelsmann Investments and 40 percent owned by Deutsche Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft, whose stake is ...
[15]
Unsere Beteiligungen - ddvg
FP. Frankenpost Verlag, Hof (35%) ; SVG. Suhler Verlagsgesellschaft, Suhl (30%) ; NP. Neue Presse, Coburg (30%) ; MADSACK Mediengruppe, Hannover (23,1%) ; NW. Neue ...Missing: ownership | Show results with:ownership<|control11|><|separator|>
[16]
Mediengruppe Madsack | Media Ownership Monitor
Among other things, Madsack now owns all relevant newspapers in Dresden. Madsack also owns Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND), a network of around 60 ...Missing: initial | Show results with:initial
[17]
Stephan Brandner: Mehr Transparenz bei Medienbeteiligungen von ...
Sep 28, 2023 · Kaum jemand weiß, dass hinter dem „Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland“ (RND) eine Verlagsgesellschaft steckt, an der mittelbar die SPD beteiligt ist ...Missing: Verbindungen | Show results with:Verbindungen
[18]
Impressum - RND
Für alle Inhalte dieses Anbieters sind verantwortlich i. S. v. § 18 Abs. 2 MStV: Eva Quadbeck und Sven Oliver Clausen. August-Madsack-Str. 1. 30559 Hannover.
[19]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) stärkt Chefredaktion
Sep 11, 2025 · ... • Mit Birgit Dralle-Bürgel, Lutz Knappmann und Jonathan Sachse in der Chefredaktion beschleunigt das RND seinen Wachstumskurs.Missing: Führung Vorstand
[20]
Neuaufstellung in der Führung: Sven Oliver Clausen wird RND ...
Oct 17, 2023 · Sven Oliver Clausen (50) wird spätestens zum August 2024 neuer Chefredakteur des RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) der Madsack ...Missing: Chefredakteure | Show results with:Chefredakteure
[21]
RND erweitert die Chefredaktion - Meedia
Sep 12, 2025 · Die Chefredaktion des RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) wächst kräftig an: Gleich drei Neuzugänge hat Madsack hier zu verkünden – Birgit ...<|separator|>
[22]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland: Veränderungen in der ... - BDZV
Sep 15, 2025 · Alle drei berichten an Eva Quadbeck und Sven Clausen, Chefredakteure des RND. Stefanie Gollasch bleibt Mitglied der Chefredaktion und ist ...
[23]
Birgit Dralle-Bürgel, Lutz Knappmann, Jonathan Sachse - kress.de
Sep 12, 2025 · Um die Zusammenarbeit in diesem Netzwerk zu stärken, gründet Thomas Düffert, CEO der Madsack Mediengruppe, zudem das Editorial Board des RND. In ...
[24]
MADSACK Mediengruppe erweitert Führungsstruktur
Jul 3, 2025 · Weiterhin etabliert die MADSACK Mediengruppe ab sofort mit einer 9-köpfigen Konzerngeschäftsleitung ein neues Führungsgremium für die Steuerung ...
[25]
RND RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland GmbH, Hannover
RND RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland GmbH · +49 511 54538012 · E-Mail-Adresse anzeigen · rnd.de.
[26]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) - Presse Club Hannover
Rund 50 Journalisten recherchieren an den Standorten Hannover und Berlin täglich Themen aus den Bereichen Politik, Wirtschaft, Sport, Gesellschaft und ...Missing: Zentrale | Show results with:Zentrale
[27]
RND erweitert Chefredaktion und setzt auf Wachstum in drei ...
Sep 12, 2025 · Stefanie Gollasch bleibt Mitglied der Chefredaktion und konzentriert sich weiterhin auf strategische Aufgaben in Print- und ePaper-Produktion.
[28]
RND RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland sucht einen Programmchef ...
Jul 22, 2025 · In Hannover wird aktuell ein Programmchef (m/w/d) gesucht. Wer den Zuschlag erhält, sorgt dafür, dass die Inhalte des Unternehmens in allen ...Missing: Betrieb | Show results with:Betrieb
[29]
Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland - Wikipedia
Das RND versorgt nach eigenen Angaben mehr als 100 Partner mit Inhalten für Tageszeitungen bei einer täglichen Gesamtauflage von mehr als 2,5 Millionen ...
[30]
MADSACK baut Newsletterportfolio strategisch aus und gründet ...
Feb 6, 2025 · Die neu gegründete RND Fortis GmbH übernimmt zunächst die Verantwortung für das bestehende Newsletterportfolio des Konzerns und wird dieses ...
[31]
Finding: Concentration - Media Ownership Monitor
Sep 10, 2024 · Providers such as the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) or Ippen Media, which have a considerable reach, are benefiting from this. RND acts ...
[32]
Chefredakteur über Wandel und Vielfalt: „Das Lokale hat Zukunft“
Aug 26, 2018 · Das RND beliefert gut 40 Regionalzeitungen mit Texten und teilweise fertig produzierten Zeitungsseiten und hat damit eine Gesamtauflage von 1,4 ...
[33]
RND - RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland - Data and Analytics
... Deutschland leverages advanced analytics and data engineering to drive insights and enhance media production. By collecting, processing, and analyzing vast ...
[34]
MADSACK Mediengruppe und DuMont gründen Hauptstadtredaktion
May 23, 2018 · Die MADSACK Mediengruppe setzt auf das Zukunftspotenzial regionaler und lokaler Medien. Zum Portfolio zählen 15 Zeitungstitel, das ...Missing: Zentrale | Show results with:Zentrale
[35]
Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland stärkt die Chefredaktion - RND
Sep 11, 2025 · Mehr als 125 Medienmarken mit einer täglichen Gesamtauflage von mehr als 2,2 Millionen Exemplaren und einer Reichweite von mehr als 7,2 ...Missing: Auflage | Show results with:Auflage
[36]
Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) ist bei seiner ...
Nov 15, 2023 · Mehr als 70 Medienmarken mit einer täglichen Gesamtauflage von mehr als zwei Millionen Exemplaren und einer Reichweite von sechs Millionen ...
[37]
Neuer Partner im RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND): Ab Juni ...
Jun 14, 2024 · Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) erhält mit der Badischen Zeitung als neuer Print-Mantelpartner starken Zuwachs.
[38]
„Gießener Anzeiger“ wird Partner im RedaktionsNetzwerk ... - BDZV
Mit der Aufnahme des „Gießener Anzeigers“ als Partner beliefert das RND nach eigenen Angaben nun mehr als 70 Tageszeitungen mit Inhalten und kommt damit auf ...Missing: Auflage | Show results with:Auflage<|separator|>
[39]
[PDF] journalistenblatt 1-2022 - Journalistenzentrum Deutschland
Inhalte für 62 Tageszeitungen und RND.de basiert beim RedaktionsNetzwerk auf vier. Säulen: Agenturen, von denen Bildmaterial bezogen wird, bilden die ...
[40]
rnd.de - Media Ownership Monitor
Jul 22, 2025 · Die Madsack-Gruppe ist in Besitz diverser Besitzer, große Beteiligungen halten unter anderem die SPD-Verlagsgruppe ddvg sowie die Tochter des ...
[41]
https://apps.apple.com/de/app/rnd-nachrichten-und-podcast/id1464677495
[42]
https://www.instagram.com/rnd.de/
[43]
RND.de (@rnd.de) · Hanover - Instagram
50K followers · 6.7K+ posts · News, Zitate – und Bilder, die die Welt bewegen. Der Kanal vom RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland.Missing: Facebook | Show results with:Facebook
[44]
"RND" entwickelt neue Digital-Angebote - Meedia.de
Jul 29, 2020 · Das "Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland" ("RND") der Madsack Mediengruppe ergänzt sein redaktionelles Angebot um neue Newsletter-Formate, Podcasts ...Missing: offerings | Show results with:offerings
[45]
Der Tag | Podcast on Spotify
Das Nachrichten-Briefing vom RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland mit den Themen des Tages. Jeden Morgen um 7 Uhr. Impressum: https://www.rnd.de/impressum/.
[46]
RND RedaktionsNetzwerk - Channel - Apple Podcasts
Top Shows ; Der Tag. Daily News · Updated daily ; Generation E - der Mobilitäts-Podcast. Society & Culture · Every two weeks ; Geyer & Niesmann - der Politik-Podcast.
[47]
RND.de
Reichweite & Zielgruppe. 4,3 Mio. 4,3 Mio. Unique User monatlich. 7,5 Mio. 7,5 Mio. Visits täglich. 13 Mio. 13 Mio. Page Impressions monatlich. 77%. 77%. Mobile ...Missing: IVW 2025
[48]
Pressekodex - Presserat
Der Pressekodex setzt ethische journalistische Standards bei Opferschutz, Täterschutz, Sorgfaltspflicht, Diskriminierungen, Nationalitätennennung von Tätern ...Selbstverpflichtung · Leitsätze zur Richtlinie 12.1 · Geschichte des PressekodexMissing: RND | Show results with:RND
[49]
German Press Council Guidelines for Journalistic Work
The freedom of the Press enshrined in the Basic Law includes the independence and freedom of information, the right of expression and criticism. Publishers, ...
[50]
German Press Code - Media Councils in the Digital Age
Respect for the truth, preservation of human dignity and accurate informing of the public are the overriding principles of the Press. In this way, every person ...
[51]
dafür rügte der Deutsche Presserat 2023 - RND
Feb 28, 2024 · Besonders häufig rügte der Presserat, dass Redaktionen die journalistische Sorgfaltspflicht nach Ziffer 2 des Pressekodex verletzt hatten.
[52]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND): Sechs Auszeichnungen ...
Dec 11, 2020 · Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) ist beim 22. European Newspaper Award sechsfach ausgezeichnet worden. Für die besondere Ausgabe ...Missing: Erfolge Journalismus
[53]
RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) Aufsteiger des Jahres im ...
Feb 5, 2019 · Insgesamt wurde das RND im vergangenen Jahr 53 Mal auf Titelseiten zitiert und erreicht in dieser Kategorie Platz 1. Im Bereich Politik ...Missing: Auszeichnungen Journalismuspreise
[54]
Gießener Anzeiger wird Partner im RedaktionsNetzwerk ...
Jan 5, 2024 · Zuwachs im RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) der MADSACK Mediengruppe: Das RND beliefert ab Januar 2024 den Gießener Anzeiger mit ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[55]
Gedrucktes Sachsen mehrheitlich jetzt in SPD-Hand - Tichys Einblick
Jan 11, 2024 · Das sogenannte RND versorgt zentral aus Berlin die Regionalzeitungen mit bundespolitischen Botschaften. Nach eigenen Angaben beliefert RND mehr ...
[56]
Warum verschweigen ARD und ZDF den SPD-Hintergrund ihrer ...
Apr 21, 2024 · Fazit: Alle angefragten TV-Sender sehen keine Notwendigkeit, die SPD-Hintergründe und die klare politische Ausrichtung von RND-Journalisten zu ...
[57]
Kein Kampf: Roland Tichy macht sich zum Opfer - Übermedien
Feb 8, 2019 · Der Herausgeber von „Tichys Einblick“ behauptet, die SPD unterwandere systematisch die Medien, um „Parteipropaganda“ zu verbreiten.
[58]
AKW-Files: Wenn Manipulation und Mauschelei zur Normalität ...
Apr 27, 2024 · Das RND ist Abteilung des Madsack-Konzerns, an dem die Deutsche Druck- und Verlagsgesellschaft mbH maßgebliche Eigentums- und noch höhere ...<|separator|>
[59]
Politikwissenschaftlerin im RND: Kritik an Migration und Corona ist ...
May 20, 2024 · Kritik an der Corona-, Migrations- und LGBTQ-Politik ist nichts anderes als „russische Propaganda“ – das behauptete die ...
[60]
Thomas Knüwers Wutrede gegen RND-Journalist Imre Grimm und ...
May 30, 2022 · Er werde nun weiter zum Presserat surfen und eine Beschwerde einlegen. Imre Grimm antwortet auf Thomas Knüwers Kritik via Twitter: "Ich ...
[61]
Wie viele Hass-Kommentare kommen jede Woche beim RND an ...
Aug 12, 2021 · Unser Ziel ist es, eine Debattenkultur zu etablieren, in der andere Meinungen und auch Kritik ausdrücklich erwünscht sind! Leider gibt es ...Missing: Medienvielfalt | Show results with:Medienvielfalt
[62]
Wer soll uns kritisieren, wenn nicht wir? - RND
Jun 9, 2020 · Hier gibt RND-Chefredakteur Marco Fenske täglich einen Überblick. Heute im Fokus: die Rolle der Medien in der Corona-Krise.
[63]
Gefahr für die Freiheit + ein digitales Weltmeister-Dorf aus ... - RND
May 1, 2025 · Natürlich sind wir voreingenommen, wissenschaftlich belegt ist aber: Wo die Pressefreiheit und Medienvielfalt verschwinden, steigt die Gefahr ...
[64]
[PDF] Konzentrationsbericht 2022
Die KEK veröffentlicht mit dem vorliegenden Konzentrationsbericht zum siebten Mal einen Bericht gemäß § 60 Abs. 6 MStV. Die Kommission stellt darin die ...
[65]
Indicators | Media Ownership Monitor
Sep 10, 2024 · On the other hand, no transparent mechanisms exist to assess the internal pluralism within the public media space, which is an additional risk – ...
[66]
Die Macht der Reichweite: RND Redaktionsreportage - NITRO
Im „Maschinenraum“, wie Eva Quadbeck den Newsroom nennt, betreut Dany Schrader als Mitglied der Chefredaktion die Printausgaben der Partnerzeitungen.Missing: Liste | Show results with:Liste
[67]
OneRND: Wie Madsack den Journalismus neu vernetzt - newsroom.de
Oct 3, 2025 · Madsack startet mit OneRND ein Netzwerkprojekt, das Redaktionen digital, regional und thematisch enger verzahnen soll.Missing: Anzahl | Show results with:Anzahl
[68]
RND beliefert ab Oktober Redaktionsnetz Westfalen
Sep 29, 2017 · Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) beliefert ab dem 1. Oktober das Redaktionsnetz Westfalen (u.a. Ruhr Nachrichten und Hellweger ...
[69]
Zentralredaktionen als Vielfaltskiller - M
Nov 9, 2018 · ... Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) aus dem Hause Madsack, die Funke-Mediengruppe (Ex-WAZ) und im Südwesten der Republik die ...
[70]
[PDF] Google, the media patron – How the digital giant ensnares journalism
Back in 1994, Der Spiegel was the first major. German news organisation to launch a web site. More than a quarter of a century later, the digital ...
[71]
Germany | Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
Jun 17, 2024 · Much of the press still operates from a regional or local standpoint and has struggled to adapt its business models to digital. Now the next ...Missing: RND | Show results with:RND
[72]
Germany | Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism
Jun 17, 2025 · In Q4 of 2024, the print circulation of daily newspapers continued to decline, but the circulation of digital newspapers ('e-papers') increased ...Missing: disruption RND
[73]
Siegener Zeitung nutzt als erster Verlag das Kooperationsmodell ...
Oct 20, 2022 · Das RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) der MADSACK Mediengruppe ... Bedeutung. Unser gemeinsames Ziel ist die Stärkung jeder einzelnen ...
[74]
Who implements Batch's Customer Engagement Platform? - Batch
RND • With 6 million readers per day, RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) is the flagship brand of the German media group MADSACK Mediengruppe, with 4,000+ ...
[75]
Internetkonzerne wie Google regulieren? Weimer für Sonderabgabe
Oct 2, 2025 · Weimer will Google in die Pflicht nehmen: mit einer Sonderabgabe und der Anwendung des Presserechts. Fachleute bezweifeln die Umsetzbarkeit.
[76]
Bild: Germany's biggest newspaper is cutting 20% of jobs as ... - CNN
and ramps up its use of ...Missing: disruption RND