BR- Bayerischer Rundfunk: Discovering the World Behind the Microphone

Our field trip to Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) turned out to be one of those days that start as “just another school visit” but end up changing how you see things. I didn’t expect to enjoy a radio station visit that much . By the end of the day, I found myself genuinely impressed by how much effort and creativity go into something we usually take for granted: broadcasting.

When we arrived at the BR headquarters, the weather outside was grey and windy, but inside the building everything felt warm and dynamic. The staff welcomed us with smiles and stories about the history of BR, which started almost a century ago, in 1924. What surprised me most was how the organization managed to rebuild itself after the war, turning from a state-controlled medium into a fully independent public broadcaster.

One thing that really caught my attention was the funding system. Every German household pays a monthly fee that keeps public broadcasting independent from private or political influence. It’s a simple but powerful idea: people invest in reliable information, and in return, they get trustworthy content. It made me think about how things work back home and how valuable this model of independence actually is.

After the introduction, we began our tour through the studios. We saw the radio play studio, where sound effects are still created manually. Watching how they used everyday objects to reproduce sounds: like doors creaking, footsteps, or rain made me realize how much creativity is involved in audio production. No flashy visuals, no special effects  just imagination and precision.

The most exciting part, though, was watching a live radio broadcast at Bayern 1. The presenter, Susanne Rohrer, seemed so calm and natural, even while juggling multiple things at once: reading the news, controlling the music, reacting to technical signals. Seeing that level of coordination made me appreciate how much skill is behind something that, from the outside, sounds effortless.

What I liked most about the visit was BR’s attitude towards change. They are open to digital transformation and even use AI for certain technical processes, but they still value human creativity and decision-making. It’s a balance that not many organizations manage to maintain.

Overall, this field trip showed me a new side of communication, one that blends tradition with innovation. I left the building with a sense of admiration for the people who make it all happen every single day, often without being seen or recognized. It reminded me that behind every piece of news, every radio show, and every sound, there’s a group of passionate individuals making sure the world stays informed.

Would I have imagined saying that I’m impressed by a radio station? Probably not.
But now, every time I hear “Bayern 1” on the radio, I’ll know exactly what’s happening behind that microphone.