Focus on local media diversity: Analysis of Thuringia presented at the Local Journalism Congress

(10.10.2025) On 11 September 2025, the future of local journalism took centre stage in Berlin. Around 150 experts from the fields of politics, academia, media regulation and practice gathered at the Local Journalism Congress to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing local information services in the digital age.

One item on the agenda was the presentation of the findings of a report on 'The range, diversity and prospects of local and regional media in Thuringia: Statewide recording, description and analysis of politically and socially relevant information offerings in Thuringia', which was prepared by Prof. Dr. Lutz Hagen (TU Dresden) in collaboration with Peter Stawowy (Flurfunk Dresden) and Priv.-Doz. Dr. habil. Jens Woelke (IfK Münster).

It provides the first comprehensive inventory of local and regional media offerings for an entire federal state. In addition to a detailed analysis of providers and content, reach, usage patterns and economic and organisational conditions were examined. The aim was not only to describe the current situation, but also to highlight prospects for the future of local journalism in Thuringia.

The results of the report can now be found in the publication ‘Diversity of offerings, content and use of local and regional media in Thuringia’, which was published by Koepad-Verlag on 11 September 2025 on the occasion of the congress.

The publication of the study has attracted a great deal of attention. TLM Director Jochen Fasco described it as a ‘real scoop’ and emphasised: ‘To date, no other federal state has conducted such an in-depth analysis of local media diversity.’ State Secretary Stephan König also highlighted the significance of the findings: ‘Local media are an indispensable pillar of our democracy – they strengthen the sense of community and provide reliable information even beyond the major cities.’ In addition, national media such as the FAZ and ver.di Publik reported extensively on the study. The present volume provides an analysis that will stimulate research, media policy and practice not only in Thuringia but throughout Germany.

 

Contact person public relations:
Dr. Stephan Völlmicke
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