Süddeutsche Zeitung Names Karoline Meta Beisel as New Head of News Department

Meet Karoline Meta Beisel, the new face of Süddeutsche Zeitung's news department. She takes the reins from Alexandra Föderl-Schmid, who moves to Paris for a new role.

, and Administrator

2025 October 28 . 9:05 PM

1 min read

In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are... — In the picture there is a newspaper front page. There are many advertisements and headlines are mentioned in the newspaper.

Süddeutsche Zeitung Names Karoline Meta Beisel as New Head of News Department

Süddeutsche Zeitung has appointed Karoline Meta Beisel as the new head of its news department and newsdesk, effective January 1, 2026. Beisel, 43, succeeds Alexandra Föderl-Schmid, who will now serve as the newspaper's economics correspondent in Paris.

Beisel, currently deputy head of the politics section, will share her new role with Jens Schneider. She has been with the paper since 2011, including a stint as its Brussels correspondent. Föderl-Schmid, 54, stepped back from day-to-day operations in early 2024 following an internal commission's findings of breaches in due diligence standards. The commission found no evidence of systematic plagiarism. Föderl-Schmid joined Süddeutsche Zeitung in 2017, previously serving as its Israel correspondent and deputy editor-in-chief.

Following the allegations, Föderl-Schmid returned to the newsroom but left the editorial leadership team. She will now focus on reporting on economic issues from Paris.

With Beisel's appointment, Süddeutsche Zeitung welcomes a seasoned journalist to lead its news department and newsdesk. Meanwhile, Föderl-Schmid begins a new chapter as the newspaper's economics correspondent in Paris.