When Everything Is Possible: Inside Radio LORA München

5.5.2026

Our first excursion to the Munich Media Institutions started in the studio of Radio LORA München on Schwanthalerstraße. Miss Karin Bergs gave a very nice introduction to us and showed us around. At first, I was expecting a typical media organization like some I have visited before, but what I encountered was something far more authentic and deeply human.

The first feeling that came to mind when I walked around the studio was that the station felt so alive and human. You could see walls covered with posters and program schedules. It was a small broadcasting room but well-equipped. The atmosphere was relaxed. Even though we only saw a few interactions between Karin and her colleague, through those small interactions I could sense a true community with a relaxed and lively vibe.

Interesting Insights

After the entire excursion, some insights stood out to me strongly.

First, what impressed me most was LORA’s creative freedom. As they mentioned, because they are a non-commercial organization, they do not have to worry about profit or satisfying advertisers. This freedom has led to the creation of many unique programs.

For example, Karin told us about a live cooking show in which guests cooked in the studio while listeners could hear the entire process of preparing the food. I found this concept both fascinating and amusing. Karin even mentioned that the audience could hear the onions frying. Another meaningful program is Beautiful Stutter, which gives people who stutter the opportunity to speak more freely and reduce their fear of communicating with others. The show also invites people who stutter to participate and even host the program themselves. 

Karin also shared a story that helped us better understand how much freedom people have at LORA. She told us about an incident in which an Asian visitor asked why there was no program hosted by Asians. Rather than becoming defensive, the team invited her to create content herself and she actually did. As Karin mentioned in her introduction, LORA believes that anything is possible if someone is willing to give it a try. However, despite having so much freedom, the organization still follows clear principles and maintains firm boundaries.

LORA actively avoids the typical “spokesperson” voices that often sound polished and interchangeable. They also do not provide a platform for voices that promote war. Instead, they encourage minorities to speak and allow their voices to be heard.

This made me realize how valuable it is that a medium like LORA exists. I deeply admire their commitment to this mission, especially as they all work for free and as volunteers.

Challenges and Reflections

LORA faces serious challenges. They are forced to broadcast every day because they are considered “system-relevant”. Karin shared an ironic story about how they deal with many burdens under this kind of “system-relevant” structure. During the pandemic, they couldn’t stop broadcasting even when it was difficult due to government regulations. However, as volunteers, they could not work after 9 p.m. like regular employees who were granted permits. Even though they are “system-relevant”, under this system they still do not receive any financial support from the government.

Despite that, their booster club is also shrinking, with fewer than 500 members now. Running costs remain high, and their financial situation is not easy.

My Impressions and Broader Reflection

This visit left a strong impression on me. LORA represents a vital independent, non-commercial media platform in Germany’s media landscape. They  focused on diversity, local journalism, and social issues without restrictions caused by external pressures.

LORA’s model is inspiring but fragile. Their freedom allows incredible creativity and courage, but it comes at a cost. The volunteers don’t obsess over audience numbers. The only thing they focus on is doing what they believe is right and doable.

However, this also raises important questions: If we value media that speaks for minorities without commercial or political restrictions, shouldn’t society support it more? Karin said that in Munich, everyone wants everything for free. But when media like LORA disappear, our world will be filled only with media that prioritize other factors.

I am not saying they will not leave space for minorities to speak or for creative shows. When the purpose of a show is not pure, it might sacrifice some speaking spaces. The standard for what counts as a good show will be left to a collection of cold numbers.

We should be aware that sometimes the most expensive things are the free things. We may be happy with ourselves for saving a bit of money without realizing that the price behind it is the permanent loss of these spaces. Perhaps only when that moment comes will we understand that what is free can end up being the most expensive of all.

Sometimes, skipping a few morning coffees could help keep such stations alive.

Radio LORA showed me that the media can be more than I expected. It can be entertaining or relaxing. It can also be resistance, community and educational. As they said, everything is possible.

I do believe that in such a noisy media world nowadays, media like LORA’s authentic heartbeat is worth listening to.