Democracy under pressure: false information endangers cohesion!

Democracy under pressure: false information endangers cohesion!

The political mood in Germany is facing profound changes. A current study by the Free University of Berlin entitled "Polarization despite stability. Voters in Germany and their view of democracy, media, issues and parties in the light of the CNEP studies 2017, 2021, 2024" analyzes developments before the 2025 federal election. The study draws on extensive population surveys on the 2017, 2021 elections and the 2024 European elections and shows serious shifts, especially in media context. Prof. Dr. Thorsten Faas, who leads the study, emphasizes that the change in the party and media landscape is leading to changing perceptions and polarization. While the general economic situation is increasingly perceived as negative, people rate their individual economic situation as stable and positive overall. These results are consistent with the observation that AfD supporters adopt a skeptical attitude towards the functionality of democracy and that there are clear differences in perception, particularly among young people with low levels of education.

Supporting the media is particularly important in this context. TikTok, a platform that was largely unknown in 2017, has now grown in influence. At the same time, the Alliance Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW) was founded in January 2024, which illustrates the dramatic changes in the party system and emphasizes the need to deal with these new circumstances. The study shows that fundamental aspects of liberal democracy such as free elections and the media enjoy strong support, while specific perceptions and views are highly polarized. The final report of the research is available online and provides deeper insights into the methods and conclusions.

Disinformation and its dangers

Another analysis by the Bertelsmann Foundation finds that 84 percent of people in Germany perceive intentionally disseminated false information on the Internet as a serious problem. Over 81 percent of those surveyed see disinformation as a serious threat to democracy and social cohesion. These facts underline the alarm expressed by Daniela Schwarzer, the foundation's board member, who emphasizes that the dangers of false information not only endanger the electoral process, but also significantly undermine trust in politics, parties and the media. Over 54 percent of those surveyed believe that too little attention is paid to the problem of disinformation.

In addition, more than 90 percent believe that disinformation spreaders want to specifically influence people's opinions. Close links between disinformation and controversial issues such as immigration, health, war and climate change demonstrate the challenges facing society. Given these circumstances, it is essential to develop strategies to combat fake news and improve media literacy.

The role of social media

Social media, which became popular at the turn of the millennium, plays an ambivalent role in this dynamic landscape. According to the Federal Agency for Civic Education, social media enables people to connect and makes it easier to share information, but they can also contribute to public fragmentation. Critics warn that political participation via social media often does not have the desired influence on society and that the fragmented information landscape endangers cohesion.

The influence of social media is significant. In the 2021 federal election campaign, 50 percent of first-time voters said they mainly got their information via social media. At the same time, it appears that access to information via social media does not always lead to increased political education. This leads to a complex interplay between media use, political knowledge and individual attitudes. The challenges lie in identifying how social media shapes perceptions of issues and what measures are necessary to promote an informed and engaged public. This balancing act between opportunities and risks is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of today's political debates.