‘The media's predominantly green-left worldview does not represent the attitude of the majority in Germany,’ writes Sarna Röser in her essay, which can be found at: https://www.focus.de/politik/meinung/kolumne-von-sarna-roeser-buerokratie-und-ein-xxl-sozialstaat-hemmen-unser-land-dabei-lohnt-sich-der-kampf_id_259773210.html
Quotes from this article:
"The fact that only 40 percent of Germans believe they can freely express their opinions speaks for itself. By comparison, in 1990 the figure was 78 percent. It is striking that expressing ‘green’ political views in public often seems to be more popular than doing so as a liberal or conservative. Three-quarters (75 percent) of Green voters are convinced that they can express their opinions freely. Voters from other parties, on the other hand, are much more cautious or often refrain from doing so altogether."
‘The media's predominantly green-left worldview does not represent the attitude of the majority in Germany. The current election trend for the Bundestag election confirms this. Only 13.9% of Germans would vote for the Greens, 3.1% for the Left Party.’
This means that most Germans are afraid of being disadvantaged if they express an opinion that does not correspond to the left-wing Green mindset, even though this is only shared by a small minority. Apparently, people follow the media – most journalists are supporters of Green or left-wing parties.
In Austria, the situation is similar in some respects, but not in every sector: medicine is very conservative. Here, you rub people up the wrong way if you express progressive views. Old-fashioned Catholics are most likely to have a successful career.
Google writes: "Freedom of expression, also known as freedom of speech, is the right of everyone to freely express and disseminate their opinions without fear of censorship or punishment. It is a fundamental human right and an important part of a functioning democracy.
Freedom of expression includes:
- The right to have an opinion:
Everyone has the right to form their own opinion, regardless of the opinions of others or the prevailing opinion. - The right to express that opinion:
You can communicate your opinion in words, writing, images or other means, whether in private or in public. - The right to seek and receive information:
Access to information and different perspectives is important in order to form an informed opinion.
Although freedom of expression is a precious commodity, it is not unlimited. There are certain limits set by laws and ethical considerations to protect the rights of others and prevent violence or hatred. These include:
- Prohibition of incitement to violence:
It is not permitted to incite violence, hatred or discrimination against individuals or groups. - Protection of personal honour:
Insults, defamation or character assassination are not protected by freedom of expression. - Prohibition of incitement to hatred:
It is not permitted to incite violence or hatred against sections of the population. - Prohibition of denial of crimes:
In Germany, denial of the Holocaust or other crimes against humanity is a criminal offence.
Freedom of expression is closely linked to freedom of the press and freedom of art. The media and artists have a special responsibility because their statements have a wider reach. In Austria, freedom of expression is guaranteed by Article 13 of the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights. It is an important asset for an open and democratic society.
Without freedom of expression, there is no true democracy! That is also why I believe that Austria is not a democracy.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)