Ernst Schnabel (September 26, 1913 – January 25, 1986) was a German writer and pioneer of the radio documentary (feature). From 1951 to 1955 he was director of the Nordwestdeutscher Rundfunk (NWDR).In 1947 and 1950 Schnabel "called on listeners to the North-West German radio station (NWDR) to cooperate in his features.