No shame, no end to manipulation. Once again, a Greens official was portrayed as a “citizen” in a “citizens’ discussion” with Chancellor Olaf Scholz. this time in Erfurt. Transparency in reporting? Of course none. Later it was improved.
It is indeed part of transparency in media reporting to at least list any political activities of citizens participating in forums such as “citizens’ discussions” with Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Even though they are of course also citizens, their presence on public television represents a political act. But it appears that ARD is not taking it very seriously, As the recent scandals show. Just like at the public talk in Erfurt.
For example, while the MDR clearly states that Julia Weber, who interviewed Scholz, was a regular school teacher when she asked her about educational losses after the Corona school closures, and Deacon Stephen Baldun Appeared like, it looked like Lee Wengel Erfurt in a different way. Because she works for the Thuringian State Association of the Greens and accordingly mainly talks about climate issues. While nothing was heard on television, after several inquiries Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk felt compelled to mention the 31-year-old’s political actions by means of an asterisk and a reference at the end of the article. A sign that most viewers definitely won’t see. Ms Wengel stressed that she had gone to the Citizens’ Dialogue as a private person – but her question was clearly motivated by party politics.
Critical questions are considered right-wing populists
If such “civil talks” escalate into party-political staging, they become completely unreliable. A woman from Erfurt was also allowed to hand the chancellor a sheet of paper with 24 important questions she wanted answered, but the MDR actually discredited her as a right-wing populist conspiracy theorist. Why? Because he dared to ask Scholz, “Is the federal government acting for the benefit of the people if Health Minister Karl Lauterbach is in bondage to the pharmaceutical industry,” Secretary of State Annalena Bierbock declared war on Russia and Commerce Secretary Robert Habeck ruined industry.”
Still, a lot more transparency is needed. Not only with such formats, but also with news programs where certain “experts” often give opinions. But these “experts” often turn out to be carefully chosen propagandists who are expected to support certain narratives. This is also rigging with public opinion. For example, how can one speak neutrally about a medical topic with someone who is paid for by Big Pharma? How can a member of Atlantic Bridge or Bilderbergers provide a reasonably neutral analysis of the conflicts in Ukraine or Syria? That’s why it’s important to know the relevant background. But it seems that German state television is not interested in this.
