BRAVO as a warning

More than Starschnitt & Dr. Sommer: How BRAVO addressed the environment, animal welfare and politics early on

Anyone who associates BRAVO exclusively with celebrity cutouts, Dr. Sommer, and photo love stories is seriously underestimating the magazine—or has simply never read it carefully.

BRAVO has repeatedly courageously addressed socially relevant topics – often long before they were discussed in the wider public. As early as 1989, the magazine warned of the consequences of the greenhouse effect in issue 43 under the headline "The Atmosphere Is Becoming a Heat Trap." Further reports on environmental problems followed, for example in 1990 (issue 9) and 1995 (issue 10). With the environmental campaign "Do Something!", BRAVO called for action as early as the 1990s.

That same year, the "Join in!" initiative was launched to raise awareness of global crises such as hunger, droughts, air pollution, and the widening ozone layer. BRAVO didn't just make pleas, but also offered practical tips: use CFC-free products, boycott tropical timber, walk instead of driving, plant trees, save energy—and avoid wasting water.

Animal welfare was also a topic of discussion: As early as 1983 (issue 24), BRAVO criticized animal testing in laboratories. In 1988, the editorial team was shocked by the seal deaths in the North Sea. In issue 23/1993, it called for an end to cruel animal transports, and in 1999 (issue 25), it denounced catastrophic conditions in Eastern European animal shelters. Big game hunting in Zimbabwe was also addressed as early as 1992 (issue 4).

BRAVO also took a stand on sociopolitical issues. In 1992, the magazine openly asked its readers in issue 13: "Should hashish be legal?" – and invited experts to shed light on both sides of the issue. Drug education and warnings against alcohol abuse were and remain an integral part of the reporting.

In conclusion, BRAVO has always lived up to its responsibility as a youth magazine – and proven that teen journalism can be more than just pop stars and celebrity gossip. It was (and still is) about attitude, education, and commitment.