Marietta Slomka Warns of US-Like Conditions in Germany - Marietta Slomka warns Germany's media risks U.S.-style political division
This Thursday, January 29, marks 25 years since Marietta Slomka first appeared on heute journal. The veteran journalist has anchored ZDF's flagship news programme since 2001. Over that time, she has watched German society grow increasingly divided—trends she fears could mirror those in the U.S.
Slomka has witnessed a sharp rise in polarisation since taking over as presenter. She points to clickbait, emotional manipulation, and the cult of personality as key drivers. In her view, populist forces deliberately exploit these tactics to deepen divisions.
She values German media that still reach broad audiences rather than catering to political bubbles. But she warns against following the U.S. model, where media choices often reflect political loyalties. For her, this fragmentation poses a serious risk to public discourse.
As she reflects on her 25-year milestone, Slomka remains concerned about the current climate. She stresses the need for journalism that unites rather than divides.
Slomka's warnings come as Germany faces growing societal tensions. She urges media to resist U.S.-style fragmentation and maintain formats that engage all citizens. Her long career has given her a front-row seat to these shifts—and a clear perspective on their dangers.
Read also:
- American teenagers taking up farming roles previously filled by immigrants, a concept revisited from 1965's labor market shift.
- Weekly affairs in the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag)
- Landslide claims seven lives, injures six individuals while they work to restore a water channel in the northern region of Pakistan
- Escalating conflict in Sudan has prompted the United Nations to announce a critical gender crisis, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the ongoing violence on women and girls.
