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Media scandal: How reporting distorts reality!
A comprehensive analysis of media reporting on migration and the economy in Germany shows distortions and calls for a change of perspective.
Media scandal: How reporting distorts reality!
In recent years, reporting on important topics in Germany's media landscape has attracted a lot of attention. A current study by the EPoS Institute analyzes the ZDF aktuell journal's reporting on the DAX between 2017 and 2024 and finds sobering results. How bachhausen.de reported that more than 1,800 reports were examined and it was found that a third of the programs mentioned the index change. It was noticeable that negative changes in the DAX are overrepresented, while positive developments are largely neglected. On average, the DAX rose by 4 points, but reporting suggested a daily decline of 10 points.
The phenomenon of “negativity bias” is not only evident in the financial sector. Voters in Germany viewed the economic situation with a pessimistic view, even though it is objectively better. This tendency towards negative reporting could also have an impact on other social issues, for example migration. As the study shows, migration is often portrayed as a problem when it actually promotes economic growth. In 2023, Germany recorded net immigration of 663,000 people.
One-sided migration reporting
The negative focus on migration also has far-reaching consequences in society. Loud Neuemedienmacher.de The German media landscape is often one-sided and stereotypical when it comes to portraying people with a migration background. The “New German Media Makers e.V.” published a guide with ten recommendations for differentiated reporting. This includes, among other things, allowing those affected to speak and critically questioning misinformation.
In order to improve diversity in reporting, it is also important to use language and images consciously. The focus should not only be on negative aspects; positive, neutral stories about migration are just as important and should be told regularly. Finally, it remains to be seen that the media often does not adequately report on the positive contributions of migrants to society.
Diversity in the editorial teams
A central point in improving reporting is the diversification of editorial teams. rise-jugendkultur.de notes that in many editorial offices only 4-10% of journalists have a migration background, while around one in four people in Germany have a migration background. This leads to a significant discrepancy in the perception and representation of complex social issues.
The majority of editorial teams are also predominantly 'white', which makes it difficult to change perspectives and reduces sensitivity to racist tendencies. Political attitudes and individual socialization of journalists may contribute to discriminatory reporting. It is not only crucial to break down values, but also to reflect on one's own privileges in order to enable a more comprehensive view of issues such as migration and crime.
Overall, it is clear that the media landscape in Germany needs a profound realignment in order to do justice to the diversity of society and to promote more realistic and differentiated reporting.