German Media

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (or FAZ) – national paper more on the conservative side (with regional supplement for the Rhine-Main area) that is widely read by decision makers.
Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) – originally Munich based national newspaper with more liberal credentials. Has surpassed the FAZ in readership. Humorous in tone with audience of liberal academics.
Handelsblatt – business daily (partner of WSJ). Only national publication by media group WAZ.
Financial Times Deutschland joint venture by the "original" Financial Times and magazine group Gruner&Jahr to establish an internationally-oriented business newspaper. Less analytical and influential than the English sister that is perhaps the most influential newspaper in Europe.
Frankfurter Rundschau – origins as a social democratic newspaper, certainly left of the SZ.
taz – the '68 rebel of newspapers with highly satirical reporting. An idol for many leftwingers and Greens.
Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) – leading Swiss German newspaper. A superb and critical newspaper. Interesting also for a foreign view on Germany and for distinctly Swiss interests (see its section on "Alpinism" or cantonal policy). Has some English content.
BILD –this influential yellow press publication is read by millions every day.

Die Zeit – one of the flagships of articulate general journalism. Started after the war and run by legendary journalists such as the late Countess Döhnhoff and former chancellor Helmut Schmidt.
Der Spiegel – first investigative magazine, founded by late doyen Rudolf Augstein. Critical reports on all general interest issues.
FOCUS – started in the 90s as a rival to successful Spiegel, it has not yet reached its journalistic acclaim. Publisher Burda is renowned more for its yellow press titles.
Der Stern – Gruner&Jahr's picture weekly.
Profil – the Austrian response to the Spiegel.
Manager Magazin (by Spiegel) and Capital (G&J) are monthly business journals with many insider stories.
Brandeins – started by journalists that were disillusioned with the incumbents, brandeins does not fit into any category. It continues to win prizes for its astounding design. Design is rivalled only by its carefully researched stories.

Most online radio players also list German channels. Check out your own player (Real Audio, Windows Media Player etc.).
Deutsche Welle is the official information channel. It broadcasts radio and TV and also has some internet content in German and English.
ARD Mediathek and ZDF Mediathek are the media sites of the two public broadcasters ARD and ZDF where they provide some TV shows and news.

The German Embassy's "The Week in Germany" provides a comprehensive news overview. It does not assume that the reader is up to date with everything that is going on and gives good background information.

Stanford German Student Association