Germany Registers Increased Social Inclusiveness in Media

Written by: 
Immaculate Bazira

Germany has registered an increase in the inclusiveness of minority groups such as People with Disabilities (PWDs) and the Moslem community. This growth is as a result of a 2016 survey carried out by Media Pluralism Monitor (MPM) that found that almost 88% of minority groups were not guaranteed access to airtime and there was no policy safeguard for such communities, except indigenous inhabitant minorities like the Sorbs, Danes and Romani people.

Simone Yves, an editor at the Antenne Bayern Media, said in an interview that social inclusiveness in Germany media has increased, especially for PWDs and the Moslem community on ZDF Television. For instance, subtitles are often included in programs plus sign language sections are integrated.

Sophie Hepach, a journalism Masters’ student at Katholic University in Eichstatt Germany noted that since media affairs are regarded as a cultural matter, it was crucial that regional and language minorities be included in Public Service Broadcasting (PSB) like RTL Group and Sky Media. She added that, “since approximately 80% and 74% of the population consume television and radio programs respectively, with only 46% and 36% utilizing internet and print respectively. The minority groups have a legal right to feel socially included in the media.

Paul Kayonga, a student of International Media studies at the University of Bonn Rhein – Sieg Germany, believes that minority groups have been availed media literacy and digital skills in a move to create a socially inclusive media environment. He added that, “If the much power given to the publisher is also checked this can improve the social inclusiveness of the media environment.”

Olivia Rademacher, a journalism student at Katholic university in Eichstatt Germany said that the 3% risk minorities face to access of airtime especially on traditional media has decreased gradually since 2016. She added that, “no one can deter the freedom of expression, it is a global right.”

Social inclusiveness is one of many steps that have been taken to promote media plurality in the Germany media.