em. O.Univ.-Prof. Dr. Michael Schmolke, r. (1934-2023)

Former Director of the Institute

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael Schmolke was appointed to the then Institute for Journalism and Communication Theory at the University of Salzburg in 1973, where he was to work for 29 years – 23 of them as head of the institute alone. He had a decisive influence on the development of the subject in Salzburg and was an inspiring academic teacher for entire generations of graduates. From 1979 to 1981, Schmolke was Dean of the Faculty of Humanities.

Prof. Schmolke, who habilitated at the University of Münster in 1970, deepened his research into media history as a professor of journalism in Salzburg and was committed to a comprehensive reappraisal of regional media history. He focused his research on media policy, led numerous research projects and was considered a proven expert in the field of religious journalism. He was the founder and co-editor of important specialist journals and worked as an advisor to important institutions for the transfer of science into practice. In February 1994, Michael Schmolke received the Golden Medal of Honor for Services to the Province of Salzburg, and in March 2003 he was awarded the René Marcic Prize of the Province of Salzburg.