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Journalism in democratic societies is not limited to delivering news. Breaking the silence, holding powerful institutions accountable, and demonstrating responsibility on behalf of the public are indispensable duties, especially when human rights and democracy are at stake. Tilo Jung’s journalism exemplifies this function by bringing a critical perspective to the safe spaces and routine questions of mainstream media. At press conferences, technical details and aesthetic discussions often take centrestage; Jung, however, uses his questions to test the democratic accountability of institutions and prestigious organisations.

Jung and his journalism

Born in 1985, Tilo Jung is an independent journalist, podcaster, and the founder of the political interview programme ‘Jung & Naiv’. After leaving traditional media institutions, he created his own platform, hosting politicians, journalists, and thinkers. His guests have included figures such as Peer Steinbrück, Noam Chomsky, and Glenn Greenwald. Jung’s journalistic practice stands out particularly for questioning the comfort zones of conventional media briefings. While many programmes rely on routine, superficial questions to relay information, Jung uses his inquiries to expose institutional inconsistencies and test democratic responsibility.

Unlike traditional media approaches that rarely challenge the positions of state officials or major institutions during press conferences, Jung actively draws the audience into the discussion. Through his YouTube channel and podcast, he broadcasts his questions directly to the public, compelling political actors and institutions to be accountable, vividly demonstrating the democratic function of........

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