The federal executive of the organization is Kajo Dohring, while from 1989 to 1998 Hermann Meyn was chairman of the association.

On 24 November 1971, it officially adopted the Munich Charter that lists the main journalistic duties and rights to which all its members pledge to abide.

The DJV throughout its history has constantly strived to create opportunities for exchange among journalists from different countries as well as to meet colleagues from other fields in order to create and encourage an open discussion about new developments in the media sector within expert circles.

To that end the association periodically brings journalists together at national and global meetings, congresses, or in regional and local forums and conferences.

The DJV is a member of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ).