Chancellor Scholz: Local media are the backbone of democracy

Chancellor Scholz: Local media are the backbone of democracy

The essence of a free press in times of digital transformation: an appeal from Berlin

Scholz emphasized the crucial importance of critical media for a lively democracy. "Perception, politics and the media are the same and the same sauce must already give us to think," said the Chancellor and made it clear that media can gain credibility through critical distance. This is particularly important because today the risk of disinformation and the perception of media grows as political tools.

Local journalism was a central topic of the event. Scholz underlined that local media are fundamental for information supply in many regions. They often represent the only independent news source and have the potential to acutely influence people - often more than the big political issues. "Local news is a business model that will continue to exist," he said optimistically.

An essential point of the discussion was the economic pressure on media companies. Matthias Ditzen-Blanke , CEO of the BDZV, pointed out the need that the industry had to defend itself against targeted disinformation and division in society. He called for a reduction in VAT than a means to support the press and emphasized that the independence of the media was never more important these days.

In terms of digital platforms, Stefan Hilscher , another member of the BDZV argued that Germany was falling behind other European countries when it comes to taxes for media companies. "A clever tax policy can be an effective instrument to protect the media," said Hilscher.

Another aspect of the congress was the role of artificial intelligence in journalism. Scholz was concerned about this and emphasized that this technology should specifically serve to improve journalistic quality. Finally, it must be ensured that the work of journalists remains clearly recognizable and protected.

During the congress, the success of the media associations was also emphasized, such as press protection law and the recent judgment against Google. Sigrun Albert , the managing director of the BDZV, found that the challenges by digital actors are becoming increasingly important. The media industry has to work together to prepare for these developments.

The discussion about the importance of a free dealing with media literacy already began in schools and ensured that society was able to recognize and react to disinformation. This is of essential importance in today's world to protect and promote democracy.

Overall, the event was not only a celebration of the existence of the BDZV, but also an urgent appeal to the importance of a strong, independent press for the future of our democracy. The ongoing discussions about financial support, tax relief and the management of the challenges by digital platforms will be crucial for how journalism will develop in the coming years.