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