8 1 / 2022 // LEOPOLDINA / NEWS
Call for more objectivity in discussions and media reporting
Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany stresses the basic rules of a free and open society
During crises like the COVID-19 pandemic , society needs fact-based , objective and responsible journalism . This was the message emphasised by the Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany in its joint “ Aufruf zu mehr Sachlichkeit in Krisensituationen ( Call for more objectivity in crisis situations )” published on 6 December 2021 . The statement was prompted by a report by German daily newspaper BILD in which physicists Viola Priesemann , Dirk Brockmann and Michael Meyer-Hermann were held responsible for the introduction of stricter measures against COVID-19 . The statement read : ble at present .
The way in which individual researchers are denounced and held personally responsible for urgently needed but unpopular measures to combat the pandemic (‘ trio of experts spoils the festive season ’) and the very fact that they are named in this way at all is defamatory . Moreover , as has already happened elsewhere , this can easily contribute to a climate of opinion in which scientists are threatened with , or exposed to physical and psychological violence .
The Alliance finds such forms of dispute entirely unacceptable since they contradict the basic rules of a free and open society as well as the fundamental principles of our democracy . Objective discussions and reporting are especially necessary and far more effective in times of crisis and in situations which are already emotionally charged enough as it is .
Scientific findings play a substantial role in politics and society , not only during pandemic crises . Scientists must
“ With its article ‘ Die Lockdown-Macher ’ (‘ The Lockdown Makers ’) of 4 December 2021 , the BILD newspaper continues its biased reporting , which began last year , against scientists who put their professional expertise at the service of politics and society in order to help in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences , which are alarmingly visitherefore be in a position to share their expertise freely .
The Alliance of Science Organisations in Germany is a union of the most important German research organisations . It issues regular statements on important issues concerning research policy . The Wissenschaftsrat ( German Council of Science and Humanities ) was chair of the Alliance for 2021 . The other members of the Alliance are the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation , the German Academic Exchange Service , the German Research Foundation , the Fraunhofer Society , the Helmholtz Association , the German Rectors ’ Conference , the Leibniz Association , the Max Planck Society and the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina .”
Joint declaration „ Aufruf zu mehr Sachlichkeit in Krisensituationen “ ( German only )