Das Prinzip Trotzdem

Authoritarian populists are on the rise. Disinformation and fake news are rampant. And journalism, which should counter this? It is struggling to emerge from the crisis. While there are more media outlets, there are increasingly fewer resources for journalism. Publishers are trying to make up for their losses by producing even more loud opinions and soft topics. However, this tabloid-style digitalization benefits the populists, who employ the same stylistic devices: exaggeration, scandalization, and outrage. Roger de Weck loves journalism as a profession. He knows it in all its facets – as a newspaper publisher and broadcasting chief, reporter and moderator. He is concerned because the laws of media operations and those of journalism are drifting further apart. In response, de Weck advocates for the principle of "nevertheless": researching, weighing options, staying true to oneself – despite budget cuts, despite various challenges. But how is that possible? The author demonstrates how journalism can be strengthened. Because without this valuable spoiler, the game cannot function in a democracy.