In this working paper, Wiebke Loosen, Anna von Garmissen, Elsa Bartelt and Tim van Olphen present first findings from a representative survey involving 1,221 journalists in Germany, conducted between September 2022 and February 2023.
The study is funded by the German Research Foundation and is part of the Worlds of Journalism research network, which is investigating the state of journalism, and the growing complexities journalists face in a rapidly changing media world in numerous countries around the world. The survey looks at different aspects of journalism, including working conditions, role perceptions, ethical attitudes, and perceived threats and challenges. More information about the project can be found here.
To the working paper (pdf, in German)
Findings
- Journalists in Germany are predominantly male and have an academic background.
- Traditional print media companies are still the most important employers.
- Journalists in Germany face a high level of stress, and the majority have recently experienced insults on the Internet and disparagement of their work. More than 40 percent are concerned that attacks against journalists are not punished.
- In terms of understanding their own role, it is clear that it is particularly important for journalists in Germany to provide reliable information, combat disinformation and enable people to form their own opinions. They also attach great significance to the tasks of illuminating social grievances and observing them impartially.
Loosen, W.; Garmissen, A.; Bartelt, E.; Olphen, T. van (2023): Journalismus in Deutschland 2023. Aktuelle Befunde zu Situation und Wandel [Current Findings on Situations and Changes]. Hamburg: Verlag Hans-Bredow-Institut, Oktober 2023 (Working Papers of the Hans-Bredow-Institut | Project Findings No. 68) DOI: https://doi.org/10.21241/ssoar