Commemorating a century of German radio, this episode examines the evolving role of audio media through conversations with three industry figures: screenwriter Anna Winger, veteran disc jockey Rik de Lisle, and audio journalist Lulu Garcia-Navarro. The discussion centers on the shift from terrestrial radio’s democratic, shared listening experience to the fragmented, algorithm-driven landscape of on-demand content. Key insights include the unique power of radio to foster intimacy in conflict zones, the decline of personality-driven broadcasting in favor of commercialized content, and the existential challenges facing traditional news organizations. Notable examples range from the use of Beethoven’s 5th as a resistance code in *Transatlantic* to the cultural impact of West Berlin’s "RIAS" station on East German listeners. These perspectives highlight a profound transition in how audiences discover information and the enduring, albeit changing, necessity of human-led audio storytelling.
Sign in to continue reading, translating and more.
Continue
