What a celebration in Cologne tells us about the future of journalism education
The RTL Journalism School is turning 25 and if you were at the celebration in Cologne’s Flora event hall, you saw what makes a truly great institution. When Leonhard Ottinger and Jutta Lindemann were called to the stage, the entire audience stood up. No ceremony protocol. Just genuine appreciation for 25 years of work that people can feel.
A Place Where People Can Grow
For several years now, I have been running workshops on AI and media literacy at the RTL Journalism School in Cologne. Every time I arrive, I look forward to the same thing: curious, open-minded people. Rooms where good thinking happens naturally.
That atmosphere is not an accident. It is the result of a culture that Leonhard Ottinger and Jutta Lindemann have built over 25 years. The evening in Cologne made that clear once again: great institutions are not managed, they are led with conviction.
Why Journalism Education Matters More Than Ever in 2025
Minister-President Hendrik Wüst said it clearly in his speech: right now, we need well-trained journalists more than ever. People who look closely. Who explain complex connections. Who defend basic rights. Not just in theory, but in practice.
Founding director Peter Kloeppel and Tobias Schmid from the LfM NRW (North Rhine-Westphalia Media Authority) made the same point with great clarity. In a world where AI-generated content, disinformation, and media noise are growing every day, the ability to think critically is no longer something we can take for granted. It must be taught, practiced, and cultivated.
As someone who works closely on media literacy and the impact of AI on media professions, I see this every day: the challenges for journalists are growing. That makes institutions like the RTL Journalism School even more important.
A Reason for Hope and a Responsibility
25 years of the RTL Journalism School are, for me personally, a sign of hope for journalism. In an industry that is changing rapidly, this school shows that quality education and digital transformation are not opposites. They belong together.
We need more of this.
Congratulations to the entire team of the RTL Journalism School, to Leonhard Ottinger and Jutta Lindemann and thank you for every workshop, every curious question, and every open conversation I have had the privilege of being part of.
