Question 20
When is freedom of expression restricted in Germany?
German original: Wann ist die Meinungsfreiheit in Deutschland eingeschränkt?. In the test, all questions are asked in German.
Answer options
- when publicly disseminating false allegations about individuals — Correct answer
- when expressing opinions about the federal government
- in discussions about religions
- when criticizing the state
Explanation
Freedom of opinion in Germany has limits. It ends when false statements of fact are spread about specific individuals, for example lying about someone to damage their reputation (defamation or slander). However, criticism of the government, statements made during election campaigns, and press reports are protected.
Key terms in this question
- Germany — Germany is a country in central Europe with a parliamentary democracy. It is a member of the European Union and its capital is Berlin.
- limited / restricted — Something is restricted when it is not fully possible or only allowed to a certain extent. There are rules or conditions that partially prevent or limit it.
- When — A question word used to ask about a point or period in time.
- Federal state — A federal state is one of the 16 regions that together form Germany. Each state has its own government, parliament, and areas of responsibility.
- Freedom of expression — Freedom of expression is the right of every person to express their opinion freely without being punished for it. In Germany, this fundamental right is enshrined in the Basic Law.
- free — Without restrictions or compulsion; a person can decide for themselves what they do or say.
- opinion — An opinion is a personal view or attitude that someone has about a topic. It does not have to be based on facts and can differ from person to person.
- German — German is the official language of Germany, Austria, and part of Switzerland. It is the native language of approximately 100 million people.