German Radio Today and Its Democratic Potential

After World War II and the division of Germany, the development of the radio went separately in the two autonomous states. In West Germany, the broadcast system was renewed as a public broadcast (öffentlich-rechtlicher Rundfunk). By reconsidering the developments of World War II, the Allies arranged a broadcast system that should provide the German citizens with valid information independent from state and economy. In addition to the radio and since 1950, the television increasingly gained influence. The radio, hence, lost its position as the main information source. Accordingly, within the following years, it was constantly reduced to a background medium. Still, with the creation of the public broadcast system in West Germany it was produced with a certain extend of quality. But what does that mean?

What was the purpose of the Allies when they created the public broadcast system? What kind of role has the radio been playing until today? Moreover, talking about a democratic potential of media, most of the scholars see quality newspapers as the most democratic media as it not only informs, but also rather discusses and encourages reconsidering the written news. But what about radio today? Can there be a democratic potential of it, too?

These questions will be answered with a focus on the central question: does the radio have a democratic potential, or is it rather an additional instrument for entertainment? This question is added by the question: How can radio today be used as a democratic tool?