In January 2029, the Regional Public Broadcasting Corporation of the Federal State of Hesse (Hessischer Rundfunk) will celebrate its 80th anniversary. To mark the occasion, Dr. Hans-Ulrich Wagner is conducting scholarly research on its origins. His research focuses specifically on corporate history, personnel decisions, and programming policy in the postwar period.
The Hessischer Rundfunk was licensed as a public broadcaster on January 28, 1949, succeeding Radio Frankfurt, which had previously operated in the American zone. Against this backdrop, the study addresses the following key areas in particular:
- the political framework of the Federal Republic of Germany as it was taking shape during the period under review,
- the historical context of its founding against the backdrop of experiences from the history of broadcasting under the Nazi dictatorship,
- continuities with broadcasting in the Nazi state,
- the treatment of the topics of National Socialism and the Holocaust in early programs,
- and the positioning of the new broadcasting organization within the social and political context in Hesse and in the young Federal Republic.
This scholarly study examines how various societal actors dealt with the Nazi past and how the transfer of assets from the dissolved Reichs-Rundfunk-Gesellschaft [Reich Broadcasting Corporation] (RRG) was carried out.
Drawing on the corporate history, personnel policies, and decisions of Radio Frankfurt during the U.S. occupation (1945–1949), the study explores the complex interplay of forces within which Hessischer Rundfunk positioned itself as a young public service media organization. It also examines the diverse actions undertaken by employees in all areas of the broadcaster, including its governing bodies (Director General, Broadcasting Council, and Administrative Council), administration, legal department, technical operations, and radio and television programming departments. It identifies decisions that warrant critical evaluation, particularly in the areas of human resources, finance, and business relations.
This study aims to provide a comprehensive, independently authored history of Hessischer Rundfunk during the postwar period. It is based on thorough source criticism. The history covers the period from 1949 to the early 1960s. Against the backdrop of the changing society of the Federal Republic of Germany and the developments in the media landscape of that time, the study aims to highlight the specific role and significance of Hessischer Rundfunk as a public broadcaster for public communication in the state of Hesse and the Federal Republic of Germany, as well as its contribution to the democratization of German society after World War II.
Photo: Hans Bredow (left) in conversation with Director General of Hessischer Rundfunk Eberhard Beckmann. © hr
