Press Freedom Threatened in Germany Amid Disinformation, Political Polarization and Attacks on Journalists

In a troubling development for German journalism, media professionals are increasingly facing what they perceive as deliberate delegitimization of their work, according to the newly released “Focus 2026: RSF Report on the State of Press Freedom in Germany.” The comprehensive study highlights how political actors, digital harassment, and emerging media formats are contributing to an environment where journalistic integrity is under threat.

The report, known in German as “Nahaufnahme 2026: RSF-Report zur Lage der Pressefreiheit in Deutschland,” documents how polarization and an increasingly hostile social climate are creating genuine security risks for journalists. Reporters Without Borders Germany verified 55 attacks on media professionals and newsrooms in the past year, down from 89 incidents in the previous reporting period.

Most concerning is the continued danger associated with covering protests and far-right extremist groups, a pattern consistent with previous years. The report also notes isolated attacks from far-left actors and security forces, suggesting threats to press freedom span the political spectrum.

The ongoing Middle East conflict has created particularly challenging conditions for German journalists. Reporters covering human rights violations by the Israeli army in Gaza faced significant obstacles throughout 2025. The media landscape has become increasingly fractured along political lines, with journalists on both sides of the coverage facing harassment. Those criticizing Israeli government actions in Gaza have been labeled antisemitic and subjected to smear campaigns, while journalists covering Israeli perspectives have faced antisemitic attacks simply for doing their jobs.

Transnational repression has emerged as another significant concern. Journalists who have fled authoritarian regimes and sought safety in Germany continue to face threats from their home governments. These exiled reporters experience intimidation, surveillance, and threats of violence against themselves or family members still living in their countries of origin.

The situation is especially dire for Afghan, Russian, and Iranian journalists, whose home countries present potentially life-threatening conditions. The report criticizes the German government for suspending humanitarian admission programs and failing to fulfill promises to protect vulnerable media professionals.

The growing influence of tech giants represents another critical challenge. According to the report, Donald Trump’s second presidential term has influenced both public discourse and the German media landscape. Major technology companies are allowing political polarization to flourish on their platforms while actively resisting European Union regulations.

These platforms have dismantled fact-checking systems and deployed algorithms that favor disinformation, including campaigns originating from Russia. “Journalism, politics, and civil society must not buckle under the manifold technological challenges posed by those who seek to hollow out the information sector for the sake of power and economic interests,” warns Katharina Viktoria Weiß, Germany Officer at Reporters Without Borders and co-author of the report.

On the regulatory front, the report notes mixed progress. A proposed EU-wide system for indiscriminate monitoring of encrypted communications has been temporarily halted, but concerns remain about the Federal Intelligence Service’s use of surveillance software. Reporters Without Borders has filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights regarding these practices.

Implementation of EU directives against strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) remains inadequate in Germany, with the government’s current draft offering minimal practical protection for journalists facing legal intimidation tactics.

The report also criticizes the lack of progress in German media policy. Despite commitments in the governing coalition agreement, there are still no tax incentives for nonprofit journalism. An overdue increase in broadcasting fees continues to face opposition from federal states, though the treaty reforming public broadcasting was finally ratified after extended negotiations.

As media organizations navigate these challenges, the report serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threats to press freedom in what has traditionally been considered a robust democracy for journalism.