This lecture is directed primarily to guest and visiting students from abroad, who want to improve their knowledge about fundamental aspects of the Federal Republic of Germany, especially the Press-System, its importance and the history of Media in Germany. The lecture will be designed in an interactive format. This means that students may be asked to prepare a few short readings in advance and discuss in class issues identified by the lecturer, their fellow students or to take part in workshops as well.

Contents / Overview

In this lecture students will be introduced to the younger history of the German Press and get an impression about how the Press has been working in recent days. They get an overview what Freedom of the Press and the „Recht der freien Meinungsäußerung“ means. The lecture describes the limits of journalism as well. Moreover, the students get to know different styles and types of journalism and trendsetters „Meinungsmacher“ are highlighted. Then the lecture dives into different disciplines of journalism: print, radio, TV and New Media as well as yellow press, political journalism and public relations.

Topics

Germany after the second World War / the unique system of Public Broadcast in Germany (ARD, ZDF, Radio: origin, function, finance) / milestone: Spiegel Affair (key-facts and overview) / Press Freedom in democracies: „Balance of Power“ / Freedom of the Press in int. terms (recent situation, situation in Germany, censorship, press under pressure, possibilities of influence – organizations, which work for press freedom) / how journalists work on a daily basis (examples) / Press (Multimedia) in 2025: a forecast / Three Big Bs: The Publishing Houses Burda, Bertelsmann and Burda/ Producing opinion leaders: Publishing House Axel Springer & Co. / how do the „Meinungsmacher“ and opinion leaders present themselves in the (new) media market (Mobile, iPad & Co.)? / journalism vs. public relations: Nearly the same(?) / borders of Free Press / journalism: legislation, arts, satire / outside of the box: Press in Austria and Switzerland.

Credits: 5