Inside Germany’s Media Facility: A Comparative Reflection on TZ/Merkur and SZ

By Minjing Zhou

1. Introduction to the Visits

1.1 Inside TZ/Merkur: Fast News, Flexible Thinking

Our first stop was the TZ/Merkur, located in an office building in a bustling commercial district. Despite its external urban setting, the newsroom’s interior maintained a classical and elegant charm. Our host gave us an extensive tour of the space, allowing us to meet with journalists from different editorial teams and better understand how the newsroom functions.

TZ/Merkur are Munich-based dailies under the Ippen Digital Media Group, targeting a more popular audience compared to SZ. They are known for their swift coverage of breaking news, local stories, and lifestyle-related content, distributed both in print and online.

One of the most interesting moments during the visit was witnessing the editorial team debating what should go on the next day’s front page. It’s truly challenging to come up with a headline that is original, fresh, and genuinely engaging to the audience.

What’s more, as weekends are typically slower in terms of breaking news, the newsroom prepares a backup Monday edition in advance—usually with health-related content, since health is a topic of perennial public interest. This fascinated me because it reflects how even in fast-paced news environments, editorial teams actively plan for both contingency and relevance, highlighting the delicate balance between immediacy and sustainability in journalism.

1.2 SZ’s Printing House: Innovation in Print

The following week, we visited the Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) printing house. It was my first time witnessing the entire process of newspaper production—from blank sheets to fully printed, folded, and packaged editions. SZ’s printing plant is highly automated and efficient: once the files are uploaded, machines handle the rest at remarkable speed.

What struck me most was SZ’s ongoing innovation in print journalism, such as integrating full-page advertisements in four-fold formats or collaborating with BMW to produce newspapers with a leather-like tactile experience resembling luxury car interiors.

Our guide also explained how SZ has adapted to changing technologies and media formats over the decades: from a print-only model in the 1940s, to television in the 1970s, and eventually to today’s hybrid system of print and digital delivery. In the current digital era, SZ is deeply reflective about how to present stories without trapping users in algorithm-driven echo chambers.

Moreover, SZ excels in audience segmentation. It prints three editions daily—an international version at 6:15 PM, a Bavarian version at 7:15 PM, and a Munich-specific edition at 11:00 PM, allowing for highly localized content that caters to distinct readerships, thereby enhancing relevance and reader loyalty.

2. Comparison: TZ/Merkur vs. Süddeutsche Zeitung

While both TZ/Merkur and SZ are influential newspapers based in Munich, they operate under different models and serve distinct audiences.

Firstly, TZ/Merkur leans toward mass-market appeal with a focus on accessible, fast-paced coverage, whereas SZ is a high-profile national newspaper known for in-depth investigative reporting and a more analytical tone.

Secondly, SZ showcases extensive technological sophistication and innovative storytelling formats, both in print and digital. In contrast, TZ/Merkur’s strength lies in editorial agility and direct reader engagement.

Thirdly, they have different audience strategies. SZ emphasizes segmented regional editions and thematic experimentation, while TZ/Merkur maintains a more unified but responsive structure, especially attuned to reader calls and grassroots tips.

3. Personal Reflections: Collaboration, Connection, and the Persistence of Print

3.1. Flat Organizational Structures

At TZ/Merkur, I noticed how the newsroom was organized into topic-based teams—local, international, opinion, video, etc., with each team comprising only a few to a dozen people. The structure was notably flat, enabling seamless inter-team collaboration without bureaucratic barriers. This flexible workflow likely contributes to higher editorial efficiency.

3.2. Close Reader Engagement

Both outlets take reader engagement seriously. At TZ/Merkur, a dedicated secretary answers daily calls from readers, ranging from personal concerns to tips about potential headlines. These interactions often lead to in-depth investigations and human-centered stories. SZ, on the other hand, embeds user-centered thinking into its design, like intentionally folding pages asymmetrically for ease of reading, demonstrating its thoughtful attention to the reader experience.

3.3. The Persistence of Print

What surprised me most was the continued dominance of print in Germany’s media landscape. According to our visit, around 65% of SZ’s total output is still in print form. This stands in stark contrast to my home country, China, where print newspapers have largely lost ground to social media platforms and mobile news apps.

Why such a difference? Could it be that German readers inherently trust print media more, given its historical role in public discourse? Or is it that an older population is simply more accustomed to the feel and format of print? Maybe the reason lies in how German newsrooms have continued to innovate the print product itself, making it more engaging and harder to replace. Or does it have to do with state support and institutional subscriptions that help keep print alive?

I suppose the answer to this question is something I’ll continue to explore in the field trips to come.