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Markus Lanz panel disputes extent of Germany’s free speech decline

A 2023 Allensbach study finds only 40 percent of Germans confident in voicing their political opinions

Markus Lanz - 28.05.2025
Als die Neurowissenschaftlerin Maren Urner am Mittwochabend bei "Markus Lanz" die Debatte um eine eingeschränkte Meinungsfreiheit als "Ablenkung" bezeichnete, platzte Ex-Grünen-Politiker Boris Palmer der Kragen.
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Overview

  • The survey shows confidence in expressing political views has dropped from 78 percent in 1990 to 40 percent in 2023
  • Neuroscientist Maren Urner called alarm over restricted speech a deliberate “distraction strategy” lacking empirical basis
  • Former Green mayor Boris Palmer and “Welt” editor Ulf Poschardt cited rising hostility and online threats as evidence of a narrowing opinion corridor
  • Green MP Renate Künast warned that digital platforms amplify hate speech and incentivize aggression, driving self-censorship
  • Panelists contrasted Europe’s debate with stronger US free-speech protections and urged broader public discourse to resist polarization and right-wing exploitation