Media trust in Germany – 60 percent feel unrepresented

Following the ruling on broadcasting fees, a new survey reveals a deep divide between the population and the media landscape.

The debate about diversity of opinion in German media is gaining new momentum. A recent survey by digital magazine platform Readly reveals a significant representation problem.

Six out of ten Germans feel they are not, or only partially, reflected in the media coverage. Only ten percent fully recognize their reality in the media.

East-West difference visible

The figures vary regionally. In eastern Germany, around 70 percent of respondents feel a sense of distance from media portrayals, while in the west, the figure is just under 60 percent.

Students are particularly critical: three-quarters of this group feel they are not adequately represented in media coverage. Furthermore, an urban-rural divide is emerging – people in rural areas are significantly more skeptical of media representation than residents of densely populated areas.

Local journalism as an anchor of trust

Marie-Sophie von Bibra, Managing Director of Readly Germany, which commissioned the study, sees the results as a warning signal.

She says: "Regional diversity is crucial for trust in the media. If large segments of the population feel that their real lives are barely represented, that's a democratic problem."

Criticism across all camps

The dissatisfaction isn't limited to individual political spectrums. While AfD voters are almost unanimously critical, supporters of other parties also feel that their own perspectives are being neglected.

Von Bibra emphasizes that no clear political cause can be identified: "This makes the search for the causes all the more difficult: They range from algorithmically reinforced perception bubbles to structural distortions in journalistic topic selection."

Dispute over broadcasting fee

The timing of the publication is controversial. Last week, the Federal Administrative Court ruled on the case of a Bavarian woman who Payment of the broadcasting fee refused.

Their reasoning: ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio are reporting one-sidedly and are therefore not fulfilling their programming mandate.

Structural problem identified

“If nine out of ten people do not see themselves in the media, that is a signal that we must take seriously,” summarizes von Bibra.

The managing director sees a clear need for action: "Representation is not a question of quotas, but of attitude and a clear mandate to bring regional voices and realities of life back into focus."

Background

Readly is a leading European provider of digital magazines and newspapers. The company offers a digital subscription platform that gives customers unlimited access to 8.000 national and international titles.

For the representative online survey, the opinion research institute Civey surveyed 2.500 people in Germany on behalf of Readly in July 2025. Multiple responses were possible.

Sierks Media / © Photo: Jisun Han, Unsplash