Germany’s ranking in the global press freedom list has fallen out of the top 10, according to the human rights organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF). The country now sits at 11th place, with RSF citing an increasingly hostile working environment for media professionals as a cause for concern. Journalists who cover right-wing extremist groups and parties, such as the Alternative for Germany (AfD), are being increasingly threatened and insulted and there are numerous cases of overly restrictive reporting on the Middle East conflict. The economic situation for media houses has also deteriorated in recent years, with a decline in traditional revenue sources, particularly in the print sector, hitting local and regional newspapers, which have seen a steady decline in number since German reunification. Meanwhile, large US platforms such as Google, Facebook and Instagram dominate the digital advertising market, siphoning off most of the revenue and attention from younger target groups who increasingly consume information for free through social media. Public broadcasters are also under political and financial pressure, with plans for a television license fee hike postponed until 2027 and a cost-cutting plan set to hit cultural and regional programs. To combat the negative trend, RSF is calling for tax incentives for non-profit journalism, platform-independent support for media and a reform of media concentration law. Journalists and reporters also need better protection against attacks, particularly at protests or during investigative research. Furthermore, there is a need for more effective protection against lawsuits aimed at intimidating journalists, known as SLAPPs. “In implementing the EU Anti-SLAPP directive, victims need not only improved legal frameworks, but also easy access to advice and support” RSF said.
Top 10 Exit Due to Hostile Media Environment
