Amélie Heldt discusses current threats to press freedom and democracy with Yann Paul Mattis Rees (University of Bielefeld, FGZ Section Bielefeld) and Sebastian Haak (freelance journalist Thuringia).
The event begins at 6:00 p.m.
Registration
here. Alternatively, the event can also be followed via
YouTube livestream.
About the Event
Distrust of media professionals has been a phenomenon in parts of society for quite some time. The chanting of "lying press" at protests or the use of "alternative media" are only two aspects of it. Recently, an enormously hostile mood towards the press has been added to this. In addition to a multitude of verbal attacks and direct hostility, there has also been an enormous increase in physical attacks. The threat level for journalists is high. In its latest report, the non-governmental organisation "Reporters without Borders" describes the situation of press freedom in Germany as only "satisfactory", registering five times as many attacks as in the previous year.
Is this a temporary phenomenon or an expression of a longer attack on the media core of democracy? Should journalists take a stand? What role do so-called "alternative news media" play?
The discussion is part of the summer event series "IDZ im Dialog [IDZ in Dialogue]", organised by the Institut für Demokratie und Zivilgesellschaft [Institute for Democracy and Civil Society] (IDZ). From 31 August to 16 September 2021, it offers lectures and discussions on phenomena threatening democracy and their significance for social cohesion.
