Fieldtrips yay!

These past two weeks, I had the opportunity to visit TZ Merkur as well as the Süddeutsche Zeitung printing house. As an exchange student—and a computer science student at that—I had no idea what to expect from these field trips. However, both visits were incredibly eye-opening and definitely experiences I wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t ventured outside my course. They gave me a new sense of appreciation for how much work goes into producing the news we see every day.

Our first visit was to a newspaper office, TZ Merkur, where we learned about the history and current role of journalism in Germany. One thing that stood out was how things used to work in the past—like a man on a horse ringing a bell to deliver the king’s message. Back then, only certain people (usually men) were allowed to decide what was considered “news.” Today, things are very different. News is everywhere—online, on TV, in newspapers, and on the radio—and it’s no longer gatekept by just a few individuals. We met many journalists, men and women, doing what they were clearly passionate about.

One of the journalists told us about the press codex, a code of ethics for journalists. It reminded me that journalism isn’t just about writing stories; it’s about being responsible and fair with information. This was also emphasized by another journalist we met, who mentioned that the newspaper’s job is to simply relay information and allow readers to form their own opinions—which I think is really important to maintain. Especially in an age of herd mentality and social media, it’s crucial for news outlets to understand their power in disseminating information without bias or personal judgment. As an example, the journalist mentioned how a certain piece about cyclists being fined would be written from different perspectives—those of the cyclists as well as the police officers. I found that approach to be both mindful and interesting.

We also discussed how quickly news changes—what’s true in the morning might already be outdated by the evening. Some newspapers publish five times a day just to keep up. In Munich alone, there are five daily newspapers, each with a different focus. For example:

• Süddeutsche Zeitung is more international.
• Münchner Merkur is more serious and only available by subscription.
• BILD is more dramatic and opinionated.
• There are also evening papers with more relaxed content.

They shared an interesting story: when there’s no major news, they often run a health-related piece on the front page—it’s a safe and relatable topic. One story that received the most attention one month came from a reader, who shared how she continued receiving phone bills even after her partner passed away. It was touching to see how reader-submitted stories can influence what gets published.

Second Visit – The Printing House

Our second field trip was to the Süddeutsche Zeitung printing press, and it was honestly really cool. The machines were massive, running at 28 miles per hour, printing thousands of pages every hour. It was a unique experience being in a space where so many things were happening—the smell of ink on paper, the sound of all the printing rolls in motion. Everything was so automated—ink refills, paper roll changes, even error detection. It made me reflect on how much effort goes into printing newspapers each day, and how much that process has evolved. Before automation, people had to physically be in the printing room to oversee everything. But during our visit, there were barely any workers in the room. As someone fascinated by how technology changes the way we work, it was exciting to see that impact in real life.

They also pointed out a small star symbol on the paper—it indicates when the machines stop printing for the day (usually around 4:30 or 5 PM). I would’ve never noticed something like that without the tour.

One story I found quite meaningful was about 9/11. On that day, the newspaper canceled advertisements for an airline and a party celebration out of respect. They even printed an additional 170,000 copies to ensure that everyone could access the news. It showed how seriously they take their responsibility and how mindful they were, even during moments of chaos, in providing people with trustworthy information

Overall, these field trips taught me that journalism is about much more than just writing. It’s about responsibility, speed, ethics, and teamwork. And while technology is clearly essential today, the human element—choosing stories, verifying facts, connecting with readers—is still at the heart of it all.

Both places showed me different sides of the same coin. One focused more on the editorial and journalistic work, while the other showed how everything comes together in print. I’m really glad I got to experience this during my time in Munich. It gave me a new appreciation for the news—and for the people who work hard to bring it to us every single day.