Ströer supports the fourth “Freedom of Expression Week” in Frankfurt

On the occasion of the fourth Freedom of Expression Week ( May 3rd to May 10th), organized by the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels e.V., a billboard with the portrait of soccer player and bestselling author Makoto Hasebe and his message “I wish for respect for diversity of opinion” was unveiled on May 2nd.

Hasebe's poster is representative of four other personalities from society, the media and literature whose work and independent opinions promote a lively culture of debate:

- the author and Grimme Prize winner Sophie Passmann,

- the pianist and activist Igor Levit,

- presenter and web video producer Esra Karakaya and

- human rights activist and television presenter Düzen Tekkal.

The motifs form the framework of the campaign, supported by Ströer, and will be shown on over 3,750 Ströer digital screens throughout Germany during Freedom of Expression Week.

An alliance of more than 70 partners are joining forces for Freedom of Expression Week, which is taking place for the fourth time from May 3rd, International Press Freedom Day, to May 10th, the anniversary of the book burning. Freedom of Expression Week has established itself as an essential part of the socio-political debate in Germany and emphasizes the importance of freedom of expression and lively debate for a democratic society. The program includes around 80 events throughout Germany. The initiator of this week of action is the German Publishers and Booksellers Association together with the newly established Freedom of Expression Foundation and the Frankfurt Agency Alliance. Cooperation partner of the Freedom of Expression Week 2024 is the Foundation for the History of German Democracy.

“Freedom of expression is the oxygen of democracy - we need it in a free, diverse society like the air we breathe,” said Karin Schmidt-Friderichs, President of the Börsenverein. “It is elementary that discourse is allowed to take place freely, that dialectical publishing takes place and that answers to the questions of our time are publicly debated. I am therefore delighted that we are sending out a strong signal for democracy and freedom with the Freedom of Expression Week starting tomorrow with five strong campaign voices, over 70 partners and more than 80 events.”

Alexander Stotz, CEO Ströer Media Deutschland GmbH: “We have been supporting Freedom of Expression Week from the very beginning with our digital media carriers in the public space. Our democracy is challenged today more than ever. We therefore consider the reach of the important topics of freedom of expression and open debate culture to be important and right. Democracy is an ongoing process in which we are all involved. And only with this participation can we maintain the basis of our democratic society.”