Weßling - What is the situation with the freedom of expression for Germans, asked the local chairmen of the CSU Weßling (Christina Mörtl-Diemer), Wörthsee (Philip Fleischmann) and Seefeld (Arnulf Daxer) - and at the end of September they invited a top-class discussion group to Weßling's parish church. They discussed the question: “You will still be able to say that ?! - How much freedom of expression is allowed? ”Among those invited was cabaret artist Matthias Matuschik. The BR spokesman had a very personal experience when it came to freedom of expression: after a derogatory remark about an Asian boy band on his radio show, he got a worldwide shit storm.
In his show “Matuschke's Darlings” he blasphemed the boy band in question. He was completely unprepared for the shitstorm that the musicians' fan base then set off. # Bayern3Racist was trending on Twitter and broadcasters and newspapers at home and abroad reported on the incident. The whole thing culminated in death threats against Matuschik and his family, so that they fled abroad under assumed names. “I cried and was done with the world,” confessed the moderator of the discussion group led by the colleague from B1, Jürgen Kaul. "Matuschik is as far away from racism as I know of any", Kaul could only wonder about the accusation. But Matuschik's longstanding work against racism played no role at all for the fans.
That evening Matuschik, CDU veteran Wolfgang Bosbach, Merkur journalist Christian Deutschländer and opinion researcher Dr. Thomas Petersen on the state of freedom of expression in Germany. In his introduction, Fleischmann asked himself whether our society was “unwilling to engage in discourse”. Member of the Bundestag Bosbach did not rule this out: “In the past, there was harder debates in the Bundestag.” Today he sometimes listens to colleagues and then doesn't know what position they were taking. Bosbach spoke of the "scissors in the head" because you are immediately put in a drawer. He is known for his clear stance, which regularly earns him a lot of criticism. But also consent, he said. However, the tone of the critics has intensified in times of "social media".Hidden behind pseudonyms like Mickey Mouse & Co., some people pull on others in the worst possible way. "How is it with the letters to the editor?", Kaul asked the Merkur editor. Only letters on which the name and place can be seen are published - and Deutschländer attested the readers “a very high level” and objectivity in the debate.
So what else can you say? "Everything that has to do with the" Third Reich ", racism and gender roles, migration and integration in the broadest sense, is tricky", summarized Dr. Petersen together. A survey of the audience this Tuesday showed that 64 percent saw their freedom of expression restricted. And the Institute for Demoscopy in Allensbach came to the conclusion in June that 44 percent of Germans had the feeling that they were no longer allowed to express their opinion freely. Institute employee Dr. Petersen and spoke of the fact that a minority can tell the majority what is right and what is wrong. Petersen put the conclusion on the "gypsy schnitzel", which a majority still order today.One journalist, on the other hand, was amazed at it. She hasn't used that word in years, she said. It was similar with gender language. The point of view of an “intellectual elite and the broader population are different,” summarized Petersen. In concrete terms: "The public opinion climate can be led by a minority who succeeds in intimidating the majority." A current example for him was the Matuschik case, in which a few fans achieved a majority with a smear campaign.“The climate of public opinion can be led by a minority who succeeds in intimidating the majority.” A current example for him was the Matuschik case, in which a few fans achieved a majority with a smear campaign.“The climate of public opinion can be led by a minority who succeeds in intimidating the majority.” A current example for him was the Matuschik case, in which a few fans achieved a majority with a smear campaign.
And what role do the media play in forming opinions? Dr. Petersen: “The traditional media have the greatest power in forming opinions.” He warned that journalists should be aware of this power. “Some journalists feel obliged to do good. But what is the good thing and who is going to rate it? ”Petersen pointed out. He pleaded with the media to thoroughly check all news for truthfulness - and the more thoroughly, the more obvious the message appears. Deutschländer on this: "The task of the media is to inform and educate." So that the reader has the opportunity to form his own opinion.
So how much freedom of expression is still allowed?
The evening could not provide a clear answer to this.
However, you did not leave the event with a really positive feeling.
Kaul drew his personal conclusion from the conversation: "Different opinions are a stroke of luck." That was also Fleischmann, who now wanted to "let all opinions have their say".
Whereupon Mörtl-Diemer again reminded: "The discourse is a cornerstone of democracy."
Michèle Kirner