Frankfurter Rundschau is more than ink on paper. It is a voice shaped by history. Founded in 1945, the Frankfurter Rundschau emerged as one of the first newspapers licensed by the US military administration in post-war Germany.
The Frankfurter Rundschau quickly became a leading force in German press. Its early editorial team was a think-tank of social democrats political Catholics and communists. They were survivors of Nazi concentration camps and exile. The Frankfurter Rundschau championed social justice and fairness.
However, the Cold War changed everything. American authorities forced communist members to leave the Frankfurter Rundschau two years later. By 1949, only Arno Rudert and Karl Gerold remained from the original team. Karl Gerold even left the SPD to show his independence.
In the 1960s, the Frankfurter Rundschau played a crucial role in initiating the Auschwitz trials. It also uncovered the HS-30 scandal. This scandal revealed bribery within the German government related to the procurement of armored personnel carriers.
The Frankfurter Rundschau switched to a smaller tabloid format in 2007. This change won the European Newspaper of the Year award in 2011. Despite these accolades the Frankfurter Rundschau faced financial struggles.
The social democrats acquired a 90 percent stake in the Frankfurter Rundschau in 2004. They aimed to secure the future of a left-liberal voice. However, financial pressures led to staff reductions and outsourcing.
The ownership of the Frankfurter Rundschau shifted again. M. DuMont Schauberg acquired a majority stake in 2007. Today, Zeitungsholding Hessen owns ninety percent of the Frankfurter Rundschau. The Karl-Gerold-Foundation retains a ten percent share.
The Frankfurter Rundschau faced another crisis in 2012. Frankfurter Rundschau Druck and Verlagshaus GmbH declared bankruptcy. The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Frankfurter Societät acquired the paper in 2013. They retained just 28 full-time journalists.
The Frankfurter Rundschau editorial board remained committed to its left-liberal stance. However, commercial operations moved to Frankfurter Societät. The Frankfurter Rundschau printing enterprise closed.
In 2018, Zeitungsholding Hessen took over Frankfurter Societät’s share. In 2021, the Frankfurter Rundschau faced controversy when its publisher blocked an investigative report. This report concerned accusations against a former Bild editor.
The Frankfurter Rundschau has had several homes. For over 51 years, it resided at Rundschau-Haus. This building was in Frankfurt’s city center. It moved to Colosseo building in Sachsenhausen in 2005. Later, it moved to Sachsenhäuser Depot in 2009. The Frankfurter Rundschau is currently located on Hedderichstraße near Südbahnhof.
The Frankfurter Rundschau continues to publish daily except on Sundays. It upholds its commitment to independence social justice and democracy. It faces modern challenges. Yet, it strives to uphold Karl Gerold’s legacy. The Frankfurter Rundschau remains a significant voice in Frankfurt and beyond.