The German National Library has signed the “Leipzig Appeal for Media Freedom and Independence”. The initiative, which was launched by Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR), brings together numerous organisations from the media, academia, culture and civil society, which are jointly sending a strong message in support of free and independent media and unrestricted access to information as a cornerstone of democracy.

Through this initiative, the signatories emphasise the vital importance of free and independent media for a free and democratic society. The appeal calls for the resolute protection of media and information freedom in the face of current challenges, and for attacks to be clearly identified and rejected. “Anyone who attacks the media and freedom of information is attacking the democratic community,” it says, in part.

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