In 2021, 83 attacks on journalists in Germany were recorded.
The number of cases has increased compared to the previous year.
This is the result of a study by the European Center for Press and Media Freedom in Leipzig.
75 percent of the attacks took place during demonstrations against the corona measures.
This is where “the greatest occupational risk” arises for journalists.
Above all, the lateral thinker movement is responsible for a large part of the lying press allegations and media hatred.
But the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is also acting as a catalyst.
Insults, death threats and damage to equipment are particularly common.
Most of the assaults were recorded in Saxony and can be assigned to the right-wing political spectrum.
However, the number of attacks in West Germany has also increased significantly.
Local journalists are also much more affected by physical attacks.
In the first two months of 2022 alone, cases increased by 27 percent compared to last year.
The biggest problem are spontaneous protests, in which the demonstrators are more willing to use violence and there is no police protection.
The study predicts that more and more media professionals will withdraw from protest reporting.