Giovanni di Lorenzo

Giovanni di Lorenzo (Italian pronunciation: [dʒoˈvanni di loˈrɛntso]; born 9 March 1959) is a German-Italian journalist. He is editor-in-chief (since 2004) of German nationwide weekly newspaper Die Zeit and former editor-in-chief of Berlin's liberal daily newspaper Der Tagesspiegel (1999–2004; has since retained the position of publisher). Additionally di Lorenzo is a prominent talk show host for the Radio Bremen show 3 nach 9 airing monthly on NDR. Giovanni di Lorenzo was born 9 March 1959, in Stockholm, Sweden to a German mother and an Italian father. He spent his early childhood in Rimini and Rome, Italy. After his parents' separation, he and his mother moved to Hanover, Germany. He is a citizen of both Germany and Italy.

At the age of 15, upon seeing an episode of 3 nach 9 (lit. '3 past 9', named after its regular airing time) on the family's first black-and-white TV-set, di Lorenzo allegedly announced his wish to someday host the show. Today, after nearly 16 years on the job, di Lorenzo is the longest serving host on 3 nach 9.

In Hanover di Lorenzo attended the Ratsgymnasium and the Tellkampfschule, from which he graduated in 1979. During his senior year of high school, an internship at Hanover's daily newspaper Neue Presse prompted di Lorenzo to pursue a career in journalism. He continued working for Neue Presse until 1982. It was there where he met his future mentor Michael Radtke. His first article was published under the pseudonym Hans Lorentz, because the editor in charge believed his name to be a pen name and felt it sounded too construed.

Di Lorenzo attended Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, where he majored in communication studies, modern history, and political science. His Master's thesis was entitled Strategie und Aufstieg des Privatfernsehens in Italien am Beispiel der Networks von Silvio Berlusconi (Strategy and Ascent of Private Television in Italy Exemplified by the Networks of Silvio Berlusconi) and earned him the highest possible grade.