GENERAL QUESTION · 12
Leben in der Demokratie · BAMF 07.05.2025
A party in the German Bundestag wants to abolish freedom of the press. Is that possible?
Official German wording
Eine Partei im Deutschen Bundestag will die Pressefreiheit abschaffen. Ist das möglich?
Answer options
- AYes, if more than half of the members of the Bundestag are in favour.
- BYes, but two thirds of the members of the Bundestag must be in favour.
- CNo, because freedom of the press is a basic right. It cannot be abolished.Correct answer
- DNo, because only the Bundesrat can abolish freedom of the press.
EDITORIAL LEARNING AID
Why is this answer correct?
Freedom of the press is guaranteed in Article 5(1) of the Basic Law and belongs to the basic rights that may not be abolished even by a constitutional amendment (Article 79(3)). Therefore neither the Bundestag with a simple or two-thirds majority nor the Bundesrat can remove freedom of the press.
Press freedom is a basic right — it cannot be abolished.
This translation and explanation are editorial learning aids. The official German wording and answer key govern the examination.
Source
Official BAMF question catalogue dated 7 May 2025. BAMF