ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

History of German journalism

Okay kiddo, so let's talk about the history of German journalism!

A long, long time ago, in the 1600s and 1700s, people in Germany started publishing newspapers. At first, they were mostly about politics and what was happening in the world. But over time, they started writing about other things too - like sports, entertainment, and even gossip!

In the 1800s, things really started to change for German journalism. That was when the government started to get involved. They wanted to control what was being printed in newspapers, and make sure that people weren't saying anything bad about the government. So they passed laws to restrict what journalists were allowed to write about.

During World War II, the government had even more control over what was printed in newspapers. They used propaganda to try to get people to support the war effort. Journalists who said anything negative about the government or the war were often punished.

But after the war ended, things started to change again. Journalists wanted to be independent from the government, and they started to speak out against censorship. They created new newspapers and magazines that were more critical of the government, and they uncovered stories that the government didn't want people to know about.

Today, German journalism is still alive and well. There are many different newspapers, magazines, and websites that cover all sorts of topics - from politics to sports to culture. Journalists are still fighting for their independence and the freedom to report on what they think is important. And that's why journalism is so important - it helps us learn about the world around us, and makes sure that people in power are held accountable for their actions.