Media and Journalism Nowadays in Germany
Accompanied by snacks and tea offerings, the discussion was warm. That night the office of the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Yogyakarta invited Masduki, Communication Lecturer of UII, to share his experiences while living in Germany about the current state of media and journalism in Germany. The discussion which took place on September 24, 2019 was attended by journalists, student press activists, NGO activists, and several other AJI partners. Stories about the condition of the media in Germany are important to update and compare with what is happening in Indonesia today. This reflection and discussion seemed to be like information so that it became a lesson to behave in the world of media and the press in Indonesia.
Although Germany is often labeled as a big country in Europe, said Adink, Masduki’s nickname, there are three taboos that must be understood by journalists and the media in Germany. First, the taboo covers those who oppose the existence of the holocaust. “There must be a Holocaust, no resistance,” Adink said. It seems that Germany wants to remember the memory of the massacre (holocaust) in Germany in the Nazi era. The impression captured wants people in the future not to repeat the dark history. Second, there are taboos, although not prohibited, covering Neo Nazis. “The Germans feel like a nightmare Germany once had Hitler,” he explained. The third taboo is Hate Speech against the government which has not been approved. “It’s still fortunate that the government is now from the moderate Merkel party,” he added.
The media in Germany is also very partisan. “Because print media is a party cadre regeneration tool. And it is a separate business octopus. To this day there are only two or three media that truly represent non-partisan media: murdoch and etc,” said Adink. In fact, continued Adink, the media networked with Tempo Magazine which conducted a investigation into the Panama Paper, Süddeutsche Zeitung, belonged to a moderate party in southern Germany. “He formed a coalition with Merkel’s party, CDO,” said Adink. This condition may be similar in Indonesia which had a media phase that had to be partisan in the 1950s.
However, continued the doctoral student of the Institute of Communication Studies & Media Research (IfKW), Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich (LMU Munich), there are two different things. Between ownership and newsroom. “This is unique. Like a church, it is funded by the church tax. Once you write the Catholic on your ID card, then you are taxed by the church. And what does the Catholic Church do? The Catholic Church, but makes activities for Muslim refugees,” Masduki said. As previously known, Merkel decided to accommodate 1 million Muslim refugees in Germany.
Masduki added, “So, the newspaper may be a party business, if the media is good, it is good for the party’s image.” Unlike in Indonesia. Media in Indonesia is often used by owners to image owners, strengthen their political image and enhance economic interests, explained Adink while accusing some media in Indonesia of being ‘partisan’. Tommy Apriando, Chairperson of AJI Yogyakarta, one of the discussion participants, agreed. Tommy said, on iNews, for example, it was common knowledge, “if it’s your business, tell me to leave. In Lombok and some areas. If there is an event in the area, no one can beat it. The party must enter.”
Financial Condition of Media and Journalist Organizations in Germany
The media in Germany has also begun to make public contributions. Der spiegel for example. Began to lead to digital crowfunsding, said Adink. “Indeed, there should be, taking from advertisers, retail buyers, especially subscriber to make retail decline. So inevitably financing through crowfunding,” said Adink. Even major research in Germany is funded by crowdfunding.
What about journalist organizations, asked Shinta Maharani, a Tempo journalist, one of the discussion participants. Journalist organizations also have fees to support the organization, said Adink. Journalist organizations such as the DJV (Deutscher Journalisten-Verband), “don’t bother if they get laid off,” Adink said again.
In Indonesia, there has also begun to be an investigation or coverage with crowdfunding-based funds, although not much. “The model is institute tempo, unlimited fredom, and NGOs, please make an energy coverage, but determine Tempo. Please submit an investigation proposal, then it will be selected. Funded,” said Tommy, sharing his story and experience investigating with Tempo Institute.
Masduki said in Germany there was crowdfunding research for broadcasting public service content that could reach 30 million euros. So there are lots of start-ups that make podcasts. It was funded by crowdfunding. Through an online platform. “For example he deposited 50 euros, next month I already can podcast,” he said.
“The social one is fast if in Indonesia. For example, Ananda Badudu raises funds for action in Jakarta. Or for humanity. But for investigative journalism coverage it is difficult. For example, Mas Wahyu Dhyatmika alone needs 25 million, but only after 3 months only reached 5 million. “Tommy said.
Adink told and analyzed, the reasons why public contributions in Germany could flourish and succeed. “Because in Germany it might have been post-material thinking, we need quality information. Reason is like that.”
What should Indonesia learn from this German story? “In the future we have to combine hoaxes with content production continuously. Now the funds can also be with crowdfunding, AJI and journalists can collaborate to create content such as podcasts, now it is still rarely podcast content by journalists,” Adink answered later.
