Our alumnus Michael Bröcker (Class of 2003) studied Economics at the WiSo Faculty, specialising in social sciences. While still a student, he wrote for the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger and then worked as a financial and economic correspondent. He later became head of the parliamentary editorial team at the Rheinische Post in Berlin and was its editor-in-chief in Düsseldorf until 2019. The founding of The Pioneer brought him back to Berlin, where he was editor-in-chief until 2023. At the beginning of 2024, he moved to Table.Media, which reaches over 100,000 readers with professional briefings and specialist newsletters. In the alumni interview, we talked about the value of economics as a possible basis for journalism, what appeals to him about journalism, and what his day at WiSo would be like if he could enrol for one more day.

Dear Mr Bröcker, you studied Economics and Social Sciences at WiSo, then embarked on a career in journalism and are now editor-in-chief at Table.Media in Berlin. Did your studies influence your way of thinking and your approach to the topics you deal with as a journalist?  

Absolutely. My training in Economics remains my cornerstone for assassing economic policy processes and a tool that has helped me time and again in my life as a journalist. For me, economics is like a handrail along an increasingly complicated path that our country must take on the road to renewed prosperity. 

You wrote for the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger while you were still a student and then worked for the Rheinische Post for a long time: first as a financial and economic correspondent, then as head of the Berlin parliamentary editorial team and finally as editor-in-chief in Düsseldorf. In 2019 you then joined The Pioneer in Berlin. What appeals to you about journalism?

Nothing is more exciting and diverse than reality. Journalism is a magnifying glass to so many areas of our lives, which become more interesting and relevant the closer you get to them. This is true of complex issues as well as people. In no other profession can you get to know so many different people, their ideas and life plans. What's more, democracy is unthinkable without free journalism. Journalism matters.

You joined Table.Media in January 2024. Can you briefly tell us what Table.Media is, what attracted you to it and what your day is like as editor-in-chief?

I work for a journalism start-up that wants to get to the bottom of things with specialised newsletters and a podcast. In-depth newsletters on the most important topics for the future of our country - that's our promise to professionals. Journalism that avoids activism and lecturing, but instead explains and analyses contexts as broadly and comprehensively as possible - that's what I've always wanted to do. Table.media has a vision and a business model – that rarely goes together in journalism. Here it works. That's why I was delighted when I got the offer to lead the editorial team here. My job is to be a sparring partner for the specialist editorial teams in terms of content, a source of ideas, an organiser, a foreign minister and a mediator. Every day is different. And always politically relevant. I love that. 

From the Spree back to the Rhine: What do you like about Cologne and what's the first thing you do when you're back in the Rhineland?

I have a place in my heart for Cologne, many of my friends have stayed there and I'm there every chance I get, not just at FC Köln matches. AnnenMayKantereit have said it all in their song Tommi: Da, wo mer zosamme groß jeworde sin, da ziehen mer alle irgendwann wieder hin. (The place we grew up together, the place we'll all return to at some point.)

In conclusion: If you could be enrolled at WiSo for one more day: What would that day be like? 

Does the E-Raum still exist? So first a coffee, then read the free international newspapers in front of Lecture Hall 1. Then attend a seminar on economic policy with Jürgen Donges or foreign trade theory with Rettig. Then some football on the lawn behind the main building and then off to the Veedel in the evening. 

Dear Mr. Bröcker, thank you very much for your time and the interview.