Steinmeier: "Democracy Needs You All" | Press releases | '
The European elections were "on the whole a positive vote for Europe, especially with regard to the German election results". The high turnout had "strengthened democracy". Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said that at Deutsche Welle's Global Media Forum (GMF) in Bonn. The high turnout had "strengthened democracy". Speaking to ‘ director Peter Limbourg, Steinmeier emphasized at the opening of the international media conference that people felt how important Europe is for their everyday lives. "And that they do not want to reveal what they enjoy as achievements every day in this united Europe," said the Federal President, who was video-connected from Berlin.
‘ director Peter Limbourg during the video-live conference with Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier
Now it is important "that the hopes that many people have placed in this Europe are also met by practical politics – not only, but also in the field of climate policy," says Steinmeier.
The EU has spent too much time with itself over the past three years, and Brexit has absorbed many forces. "Outside Europe, appreciation of the European Union is sometimes greater than it is for us. We should not underestimate the hope that the European Confederation will succeed, especially in our neighboring regions, including North Africa. That is also a high responsibility for ourselves, "said the Federal President.
"These are changes in the attitudes that worry me"
At the Global Media Forum of Deutsche Welle around 2,000 guests from 140 countries discuss global power shifts – in politics, society and the media. Steinmeier also commented on developments in the media sector. He was worried about the tone, which had become "much rougher, sometimes merciless", especially in the social media. "There is nothing between black and white, there is no compromise in thinking possible. And the one who represents other views, who provides other arguments, is often treated as an opponent and an enemy. These are changes in attitudes that worry me, "said Steinmeier.
According to the German constitutional understanding, freedoms always have to be paired with rules. "Therefore, there must be new rules for new freedoms. This is not automatically a shortening of freedom, but tries to organize freedom for as many as possible, who can participate in this process of opinion forming. "Steinmeier called antitrust opportunities and data protection. Above all, the legislator must ensure that "the origin of information is beyond doubt," Steinmeier said. At present, a "tentative legislation trying to deal with these new phenomena, without convincing solutions have actually been found," said the President.
Winner of the ‘ Freedom of Speech Award 2019: Anabel Hernandez
"We have to defend ourselves in Europe against the beginnings"
In the run-up to the awarding of the ‘ Freedom of Speech Award in the context of the GMF on this Monday evening to the Mexican journalist Anabel Hernández The President also commented on the state of freedom of opinion and of the press and the fate of journalists worldwide. "Freedom of the press is under pressure worldwide", says Steinmeier. This applies increasingly to Europe. He described attempts to bring newspapers under state control, for example, as "harmful development that endangers democracy. We must defend ourselves against it in Europe and, if possible, fight back against the beginnings where we see it. "
At the same time Steinmeier appealed to the numerous journalists at the media conference in Bonn, "not to overlook the glimmer of hope that exists in some corners of the world, too". He tries to take this into account when traveling abroad, as he recently did in Ethiopia or Ecuador. This also applies to his planned trip to Uzbekistan, "where, after decades of autocratic rule, there are slight changes and where there is reason to take a closer look at whether this also has positive consequences for the work of journalists," said Steinmeier. This also with regard to the German wave, "which now obviously after years of the prohibition receives there the possibility to find entrance to the opinion market".
Steinmeier appealed to the conference attendees: "Keep your courage to report on what governments need to be uncomfortable with. Democracy needs you all. "
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