Final Blog Post: reflections on media, neutrality and my journey through Bavaria

Participating in this course offered me a unique opportunity to engage with several Bavarian media companies and dive deep into the world of professional communication. From conducting interviews to producing reportages and opinion pieces, I haven’t just learned the fundamentals of journalism; I have also found a platform to document my ideas and share perspectives with the world. This journey has been as much about professional growth as it has been about understanding the vital role media plays in a society.

Learning from my peers

The course was strongly rooted in peer evaluation and collaborative discussion, which I found particularly inspirational, because every brainstorming session was characterized by a multitude of viewpoints. Meeting students from different cultural backgrounds, many of whom were raised in different countries, allowed me to gain a broader perspective on things I had previously taken for granted in my own media system. I truly enjoyed hearing other voices and understanding their ideas, realizing that what I believe to be “universal” is often shaped by our specific environments.

From the field to the future

Visiting media and cultural organizations around Munich allowed me to discover the city’s professional landscape and reflect on my future career. Each institution, and the workers who make them thrive, taught me a different aspect of the communication world. Getting to see the inner structures of newsrooms, museums, science labs, and print houses deepened my curiosity and broadened my horizons.

A highlight was our visit to Media Lab Bayern, where we participated in a workshop simulating the design process for software to solve market problems. My team and I focused on creating an app to promote news content among the “under 30” population. Focusing on what future audiences actually want made me reflect deeply on where journalism is headed.

I believe the future of journalism will likely take place on new, diverse platforms that fit our hectic lifestyles and shorter attention spans. These platforms will be available with just a touch or a word. Future journalism might even connect interviewees and interviewers through simulated realities. Most importantly, I hope it will take better care of the environment, becoming truly sustainable and exploiting our natural world less, by reducing the use of paper and water.

What will the future actually hold?

I must admit, however, that looking ahead also brings concerns. If there is one thing that worries me about the future of journalism, especially in my own country, it is the increasing tendency toward state control over published material. What I find most valuable in any form of communication is the freedom to ask questions that dive deep into a topic without seeking a predetermined answer or assuming a result.

Writing these blogs and visiting major institutions like Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), Süddeutsche Zeitung, and Media School Bayern reinforced how essential it is to use our voices to speak up about what matters. These organizations serve as strong examples of how broadcasting and publications should remain neutral and civically responsible. No country should be educated or informed through manipulated media.

I believe the future of journalism must be neutral, independent, and free from manipulation. I hope for an environment filled with young, educated voices who develop sharp critical thinking skills and are never afraid of confrontation when powerful forces try to silence them. I long for a world where diversity beats uniformity, and for communicators who choose to describe reality rather than judge or hide it.

Even with the rise of AI, where some tasks risk being replaced by machines, the human mind remains one of a kind. Journalism, in all its formats, has a massive impact on a country and its people. It shapes ideas, informs the public, and holds the power to decide which stories are told. Every choice a journalist makes can be decisive and must be carefully thought through.

Conclusion

These are the takeaways I leave this Professional Communication course with. It has significantly widened my horizons and provided a clear overview of the professional possibilities awaiting me after my bachelor’s degree. Most importantly, it made me think about the information I receive daily: where it comes from and how it shapes me. My time in Bavaria has taught me that while the tools are evolving, the core mission remains the same: to protect true voices and educate the people.