Looking back on KCRW Berlin — Part 1

KCRW Berlin’s final week of broadcasting marks the end of a 75-year American radio tradition in the German capital, tracing a lineage from the post-WWII Armed Forces Network and RIAS to the station's 2017 launch. The COVID-19 pandemic serves as a central backdrop, forcing a shift to remote production while simultaneously reshaping the journalistic landscape. Contributors reflect on the challenges of maintaining professional standards from home studios and the difficulty of conducting street interviews amidst privacy concerns and social distancing. The conversation highlights the evolution of radio into the digital age, emphasizing the rise of podcasts as a vital tool for accessibility and deep-dive storytelling. Despite the station's closure, the participants underscore the enduring relevance of radio as an intimate, essential medium for fostering civil discourse and connecting communities through shared experiences during global crises.