Democracy and press freedom are closely linked. Censorship and the control of opinions are enemies of any democratic discourse. However, in recent years, an increase in media hostility has also been observed in Germany. Journalists are being insulted, threatened, and even physically attacked. In 2024 alone, according to a report by Reporter ohne Grenzen , there were 89 documented attacks on journalists in Germany – twice as many as the previous year. In addition, it is not only violence and hostility that endanger press freedom, but also economic pressure, which makes independent reporting increasingly difficult.
On World Press Freedom Day, May 3rd, Reporter ohne Grenzen published the latest press freedom ranking (Rangliste der Pressefreiheit): In 160 out of 180 countries and territories, the media struggle to operate sustainably. In almost a third of countries, editorial offices were forced to close last year due to economic constraints. This has led to the concentration of media ownership in the hands of just a few influential owners, as is the case in 46 countries.
Even in Germany, a deterioration of press freedom can be observed – albeit at a high level: The country has dropped from 10th to 11th place. In addition to increasing media hostility – particularly in reporting on right-wing extremist milieus and parties – the lack of financial security is also a challenge for many media outlets. According to a recent survey conducted by Marketagent and Farner, 77 percent of the 532 journalists surveyed in German-speaking countries stated that a lack of financial resources makes it more difficult to maintain journalistic standards. Local and regional newspapers, in particular, are in a poor economic situation. The reasons are twofold: the continuous decline of traditional print revenue sources, and the growing dominance of large U.S. platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram.
Promoting media diversity – strengthening democracy
Reporter ohne Grenzen therefore proposes, in its report, tax incentives for non-profit journalism, platform-independent support for media, and a reform of media concentration laws to help media organizations maintain their independence. Additionally, journalists should be better protected from attacks, particularly at protests or during investigative reporting.
In our work at the Schöpflin Foundation, we advocate for the freedom of the press and media – with Publix, the house for journalism and public sphere, where independent media professionals work and meet in a safe environment. The Media Forward Fund pools new funding for journalism in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These funds are awarded annually to public-interest media to support the development of new business models for long-term financial security. In 2022, together with Reporter ohne Grenzen and the Rudolf Augstein Foundation, we launched the JX Fund (Journalism in Exile Fund). It helps media professionals who have fled war and crisis regions to resume their work in exile quickly and flexibly.