According to a survey by the digital association Bitkom, the vast majority of Germans clearly support independent and free reporting. 91 percent of those surveyed describe freedom of the press as a valuable asset that must be protected as the industry association announced on Thursday in Berlin on the occasion of International Press Freedom Day on May 3rd.
86 percent also said they wanted debates online to be more respectful. 70 percent of those surveyed often find the tone in comment columns for news on the Internet to be too aggressive. 48 percent are of the opinion that discussions on the Internet help right-wing parties gain influence.
“Freedom of the press is a valuable asset, and we must also protect and strengthen it online and in digital media,” explained Bitkom Managing Director Bernhard Rohleder. “Attacks on journalists are a direct danger not only for the people affected, but for our opinion-pluralistic society as a whole.”