Dedication to Dependable News Reporting during Periods of Transformation
In the heart of Stuttgart, the media landscape of Baden-Württemberg gathered for the annual Summer Terrace Festival, a tradition that brought together five daily newspapers, political figures, and affiliated institutions. The event, held at the Württembergischer Automobilclub, was a lively and often changing conversation, featuring food and beverages, against the backdrop of a changing political climate.
Minister-President Winfried Kretschmann, nearing the end of his term, expressed his gratitude for the rich media landscape in the region and hoped that more people would understand the work of media professionals. He acknowledged the difficulties faced by publishers and journalists in the changing media landscape, emphasising the value of their work.
The high-profile takeover of Südwestdeutsche Medienholding SWMH by Neue Pressegesellschaft / Südwest Presse from Ulm was a significant topic of discussion at the festival. This takeover, recently approved by the cartel office, is considered the largest change in the media landscape in the southwest in recent years. The joint state political office in Stuttgart, operated by the five major regional newspapers, has seen strengthening with Südkurier and Heilbronner Stimme joining since July 2024.
Among the political figures present were state cabinet members, parliamentary leaders, and potential successors to Minister-President Kretschmann. For the Greens, Cem Özdemir, a prominent member of the party, has been mentioned as a significant figure to lead the party in the upcoming state election. Özdemir, who has chosen to focus on state-level politics, has not sought re-election in recent federal elections.
For the CDU, Manuel Hagel, the new leader, might position himself as a key candidate for the party in the election. However, the CDU's exact selection process for the Minister-President candidacy is not yet detailed. Other potential candidates might emerge as the election approaches.
SWP Editor-in-Chief Ulrich Becker aims to explain more to readers behind fast news in a difficult economic situation. He was pleased with Minister-President Kretschmann's attendance at the festival, which underscored the importance of open dialogue between media and politics.
The festival also welcomed guests such as spokespeople of ministries, state parliament, parties, peak associations of municipalities, DGB boss Kai Burmeister, representatives of teachers' unions, and environmental associations. Stuttgart's Mayor Frank Nopper (CDU) attended the festival after a supervisory board meeting of Stuttgart Airport.
NPG Manager Andreas Simmet expressed the need for economic stability for the NPG and criticised politics for not providing enough support to publishers, citing rising personnel costs as a growing economic pressure. The festival, therefore, served not only as a platform for dialogue but also as a reminder of the challenges faced by the media industry in the current economic climate.
As the political scene in Stuttgart prepares for its summer break, the upcoming state election in March 2026 is preventing a complete break for key players. The festival marked a significant moment in the evolving media and political landscape of Baden-Württemberg, underscoring the importance of open dialogue and mutual understanding in these changing times.
[1] Source: [Link to the original information]
Economic and social policy discussions arose during the Summer Terrace Festival, as key political figures and media professionals debated the implications of the recent high-profile takeover of Südwestdeutsche Medienholding SWMH and the strengthening of the joint state political office in Stuttgart.
Understanding the value of media professionals and the challenges they face in the changing economic climate was a central topic for SWP Editor-in-Chief Ulrich Becker, who aimed to address the issue of fast news in a difficult economic situation.