Prof Steinmetz, who is professor of media studies and media culture at the University of Leipzig, made his comments in a talk on "The Peaceful Revolution in Television" to about 40 people in Dunedin.
The talk was part of a University of Otago conference devoted to the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989.
He discussed television's "rapid changes from an instrument of State and party to a universal therapist and entertainer of people" in the period leading up to German reunification in 1990.
East German leaders had vainly hoped buying more modern television broadcasting equipment at the 11th hour would enable them to maintain their dwindling political power, but events became too dynamic to control.
Although state television had earlier been required to support the East German government and Communist Party, television reporters became more probing and revealed luxurious conditions at an elite housing complex reserved for use by top party leaders.
After the wall fell, East German television could tackle previous taboo topics, such as environmental damage and the collapse of poorly-maintained buildings.
Television panel discussions and other programmes also provided a form of therapy for television reporters and viewers facing rapid social and political change, he said.
