The development of media in the Western Germany during the period of the Allied Occupation (1945-1949) and in the first decade of the Federal Republic (1949-1959)
The media is present all around the world. The media tries to express facts, entertainment, opinion, and other information. In this way, newspapers, magazines, cinema films, radio, television, Internet, books, and other forms of publishing are an approach to communication.
Mass media tends to reach a large audience, in particular in the 1920's with the expansion of radio networks and the mass-circulation of newspapers and magazines.
Western Germany, between 1945 and 1959 can be separated into two periods. The first is the Allied Occupation, started after the defeat of World War II in 1945. Western Germany was divided into three areas. These areas were controlled by America, Britain and France. The Federal Republic -West Germany- was proclaimed in 1949.
What are the main points of the development of media in West Germany while it was emerging from defeat in World War II? How did the media cope with, and what were their attitudes towards the Allied Occupation and the early of the new government –the Federal Republic?
The role of print media and broadcasting (radio and television) were important in the development of media.
[...] All the applicants could receive the license, apart from journalists who had written in favour of the Third Reich. In each area controlled by the Allies, the system of press was different. In the American section, they wanted a single independent newspaper, whereas the other parts allowed rivalry between newspapers. From the Currency Reform, newsprint was spreading. The first journalists' schools were founded in Machen and Munich. The Heeresgruppen-Zeitungen” was the first newspaper since the Occupation. It was about the Allied armies and the way to rebuild West Germany. [...]
[...] In south West Germany, the “Michel- Kommision” resolved the problem about the fact that in Baden-Württemberg, there were two broadcasting corporations. The radio had limited frequencies. The idea in establishing the corporation was to develop the diversity of interests and opinions of people. The “Rundfunkrat”, the “Vernaltungsrat”, and the “Intendant” managed the broadcasting system. On the radio, people could listen to information, entertainment, education, and music. Music was an important part of the programme. Most of time, radio gave military information, for example, the American Forces Network (AFN). [...]
[...] Conclusion Since the defeat of Germany during the World War II, the Allies had tried to rebuild the country and also the German thought. Media was a good instrument to pass on the new information. In fact, the Allies wanted to “re-educate” the German population. Contrary to the Nazi period, since 1945, media such as press, radio, television, and broadcasting have more freedom about their subjects. They could express their own opinions and circulate them. Obviously, the Allies controlled the mass media. [...]
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