One Semester, Many Perspectives

It is surprising how quickly a semester can pass. Looking back, my time in Munich feels as though it went by in the blink of an eye. From inspiring field trips and new insights into journalism and media to valuable personal experiences, I was able to take a lot with me.

New Perspectives on Media & Journalism

Before coming here, I assumed that Austria and Germany would have almost identical media landscapes. However, while the similarities are undeniable, the differences turned out to be more meaningful than I had expected. Munich’s media landscape struck me as more diverse, more experimental, and more open to alternative structures. This experience broadened my understanding of how journalism can be organized, practiced, and supported. It reminded me that even in seemingly similar countries, media cultures can differ.

Writing these blog posts also helped me process my experiences more consciously. Reflecting on each visit made me realize how much I had actually learned throughout the semester. So, let’s take a closer look at the field trips, experiences, and learnings.

Radio LORA München: Our first field trip took us to Radio LORA, a volunteer-run community radio station that positions itself as an alternative voice in a media environment increasingly shaped by algorithms, audience ratings, and commercial pressures. LORA reminded me that journalism does not always need to be polished or commercially optimized to be meaningful. Independence, even when it appears inefficient or operates on a small scale, can be a powerful democratic force. It creates space for perspectives and communities that might otherwise remain unheard, demonstrating that journalism is not only about reaching the largest audience but also about representing diverse voices.

Media School Bayern: The Media School Bayern offered a different perspective: a professional, practice-oriented environment where aspiring journalists learn by producing real content. Students are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, adapt, and improve. The concept is simple: you learn journalism by practicing journalism. Every project, every recording, and every edit becomes part of the learning process. This visit also showed me how essential it is to combine creative freedom with strong journalistic standards – a balance that future media professionals will increasingly need to master.

Media Lab Bayern: At Media Lab Bayern, we gained insight into an organization dedicated to fostering innovation in journalism and media. Through its support programs, mentoring, and networking opportunities, the lab helps media start-ups and journalists develop new ideas and experiment with emerging technologies. Journalism today faces major challenges, but Media Lab Bayern demonstrated that innovation can be part of the solution. Rather than viewing technological change as a threat, the lab embraces it as an opportunity to create new formats, reach audiences in different ways, and rethink established practices.

Online Guest Talk: During an online guest lecture, Jana Rick discussed a topic that is becoming increasingly relevant for the media industry: why many journalists are leaving the profession. She explained that leaving journalism is a multifaceted process, often closely linked to the broader structural challenges facing the media industry. The discussion highlighted that journalists leave the profession for many different reasons, including insecure working conditions, heavy workloads, financial uncertainty, and limited career prospects. However, the talk also showed that journalistic skills are highly valued outside the media industry, creating alternative career paths.

Why Journalism Still Matters

If there is one overarching insight from this semester, it is that journalism is not on the decline – at least not inherently. It is transforming. Every field trip revealed a different aspect of this transformation. Community media demonstrated the democratic value of participation and representation. Media School highlighted the importance of practical experience. Media Lab showed how technology can create new opportunities for journalism rather than simply disrupting it.

At the same time, these experiences reminded me that the core mission of journalism remains unchanged. In a media environment increasingly shaped by social media, AI-generated content, misinformation, and information overload, reliable journalism is more important than ever. People need trustworthy sources that verify facts, provide context, ask critical questions, and hold those in power accountable. Journalism does far more than report events, it helps people understand an increasingly complex world and enables informed public debate.

For journalism to continue fulfilling this role, society must support media literacy, encourage innovation, and protect editorial independence. The future of journalism will undoubtedly look different from its past, but its importance remains as relevant as ever.

What I Take With Me

On a personal level, this semester in Munich has been an enriching experience both academically and personally. Beyond gaining new knowledge, in my seminars I had the opportunity to work on exciting projects, broaden my perspectives, and further develop my skills in different areas of media and communication.

Most importantly, the experience reminded me how much I enjoy this field of study. It reinforced my motivation to continue pursuing a career in the field of media and communication and confirmed that this is the path I want to follow in the future. My Erasmus semester in Munich helped me see that more clearly than ever. I can truly say that I had an amazing time here – both at university and beyond.

With certainty I can say: Bis ganz bald, München!