(de-news.net) – Federal President Steinmeier has emphasized the importance of free and responsible journalism, describing it as essential for political orientation, participation in public discourse, and democratic decision-making. Speaking at the 80th anniversary of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, he called for reliable, objective, and truthful reporting, including transparency in acknowledging and correcting errors.

Steinmeier stated that such journalism cannot be equivalently replaced by social media or artificial intelligence. Amid crises, wars, and misinformation, the public’s need for orientation remains strong, he pointed out. However, social media—characterized by brevity, polarization, and sensationalism—fails to meet this need. Steinmeier criticized its pervasive loudness, confrontational tone, and constant pursuit of scandal, asserting that these trends diminish clarity and leave individuals feeling exhausted, anxious, and powerless.