Real Talk: What's the State of Press Freedom?

In 90 of the 180 countries monitored, Reporters Without Borders classifies press freedom as “difficult” or “very serious.” But even in Germany, the media is under pressure: fake news is spreading rapidly, people are falling for AI-generated content, and journalists are facing budget cuts and online backlash. In an age of endless Reels and a constant flood of information, this raises the question: How do we actually stay informed? How can I recognize disinformation—and what defines good journalism?
This is always also about participation, justice, and representation: Who gets a voice in the media? Which perspectives are missing? How can young voices become more visible? Together, we’d like to discuss the role journalism plays in democracy and social cohesion, and how intergenerational dialogue can open up new perspectives.
At the Jugendpresse Deutschland e.V. information booth, you can test your knowledge of climate, political, local, and international journalism in a journalism quiz and create your own image to go with catchy headlines in our photo booth.
Jugendpresse Deutschland e.V. is a nationwide network for young media creators that is committed to media education, freedom of the press, and the promotion of emerging journalists.