By Initiative Nachrichtenaufklärung / Forgotten News
Once a year, the German non-governmental organization »Initiative Nachrichtenaufklärung« (INA), in collaboration with the Deutschlandfunk (German public radio) news department, releases a list of ten important issues that have been overlooked by the mainstream German-language media. The goal is to draw attention to omissions, agenda-cutting and disinformation as well as to highlight some topics for further investigation. Given the extensive coverage of the Russian war against Ukraine and the Gaza conflict, the U.S. election, and the German government crisis including new elections, along with the ongoing threats faced by journalists, investigators and whistleblowers worldwide, the search for »forgotten news« is particularly crucial.
This year, a jury comprised of experts in communication and media studies, as well as professional journalists, selected the top ten topics of »Forgotten News«. Students from various German universities assessed the relevance of the proposed topics and whether they had indeed been neglected by most German mainstream media. All qualifying topics were presented to the jury with detailed reports. During a one-day meeting, jury members convened in person to determine which proposed topics they deemed most significant.
Individuals can reach out to Initiative Nachrichtenaufklärung via email, mail, or a web form to highlight important yet overlooked topics. This ensures that concrete experiences from the public, rather than just the agendas of interest groups and other institutions, are reflected in INA’s top ten lists for news enlightenment.
Top 1: Child soldiers fighting with German small-caliber weapons
Worldwide, over 250,000 children and adolescents are involved in military conflicts and warlike actions, with small-caliber weapons playing a central role. Germany, as the second-largest exporter of small-caliber weapons, has not sufficiently adjusted its weapons policy despite international agreements. Export permits for small-caliber weapons are often issued without strict controls, leaving the final destination of the weapons unclear. NATO, EU and equivalent states are preferred in exports, which leads to facilitating the flow of weapons to countries which violate children’s rights. In sum, the control and enforcement of export rules are inadequate, but a rethinking of the German federal government’s weapons policy is not yet in sight. Yet, this issue is hardly reported on in German media.
Top 2: Refugee camp on Samos is inhumane
Following the media outcry over the destruction of the Moria refugee camp in 2020, a new »Closed Controlled Access Centre« (CCAC) was built on the Greek island of Samos, allegedly to improve the living conditions of refugees. However, critics complain about the continuing inhumane conditions, inadequate care and lack of prospects for refugees. Media attention to the deplorable conditions in the camps has declined sharply – the pressing problems have disappeared from public awareness. The issue is also relevant for Germany as the situation on Samos reflects European refugee policy and the integration of refugees. In particular refugees are needed as workers to counteract the shortage of skilled labor, a situation that plays a crucial role in the political debate on asylum law and the labor market.
Top 3: Ban on human rights organizations in Ethiopia
The Ethiopian government is intensifying repression. Several human rights organizations were banned in the country in November 2024. Germany, as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, has weakened international control mechanisms by abstaining from important votes, which has encouraged a culture of impunity in Ethiopia. Given Ethiopia’s geopolitical significance and its upcoming elections in 2026, increased international pressure is needed to protect human rights and ensure long-term stability. However, Ethiopia has largely ceased to be a topic in German and international media since the end of a major war that began with the central government’s invasion of Tigray and affected large parts of Ethiopia. The bans of human rights organizations since past year have gone virtually unreported.
Top 4: Homeless despite having a job
More than half a million people in Germany live without a roof over their heads – some of them despite being full-time employed. The number of urban, working nomads has doubled in recent years, as they cannot afford even a room in the outskirts of cities. The problem of homelessness has long reached the middle of society but is largely neglected by the media.
Top 5: Disciplining civil servants: Faster dismissal through changes to civil service law
The German parliament [Bundestag] has passed a contentious law: Instead of a decision-making process through disciplinary lawsuits by courts, superiors are now empowered through disciplinary proceedings to decide on the dismissal of civil servants with anti-constitutional attitudes. The Federal Ministry of the Interior promises a more efficient approach against extremism in government agencies. However, the opposition and civil service unions have sounded the alarm – they see this development as opening the door to a potential abuse of power. The democratic principle of separation of powers will be further undermined. While the law has received little attention in the media and has not been the subject of public controversy, the central question remains: Is this really the right way forward?
Top 6: Educational equality for children in foster care?
When families face problems, children and adolescents are often placed in foster families. The question arises whether the children receive adequate access to education in foster homes. The topic is particularly relevant because it concerns a vulnerable group in our society that also deserves more attention in media coverage. Yet, this topic has not yet been addressed comprehensively in any major media outlet to date.
Top 7: Significantly fewer workplace accidents
A positive piece of news that has received little coverage: The number of fatal workplace accidents in Germany has recently decreased significantly. Notably, there are large differences between industries. Experts emphasize that long-term progress can only be achieved through greater safety awareness. In general, topics from the world of work receive little space in the media, although they are such an important part of life.
Top 8: »Morbus Mediterraneus« – When cultural bias influences diagnoses
Imagine this: you are lying in a hospital bed, experiencing severe pain, but it is ignored by doctors and nurses. You receive no or insufficient pain medication because the staff assumes your pain is exaggerated. People with Southern European roots or names are particularly likely to report such experiences. The medical term for this is »Morbus Mediterraneus« – a derogatory term for allegedly exaggerated sensitivity to pain among people from the Mediterranean region.
Top 9: Fraud against contract workers from Mozambique – Germany evades responsibility
Over the past 30 years, they have been fighting for what is rightfully theirs – yet their claims are in danger of being dismissed: Around 17,000 Mozambicans came to the German Democratic Republic (GDR) as contract workers but were never fully paid. Up to 60% of their wages were withheld and used to offset Mozambique’s debt. Although the injustice suffered by these people is now being recognized, compensation payments to those affected have not been made yet.
Top 10: Tax burden limits – When tax burdens threaten people’s livelihoods
The tax burden limit is intended to prevent taxes that threaten a person’s sheer existence, but its exact level is decided by courts on a case-by-case basis. This means, for example, that when a property tax is levied, the amount of the tax must not disproportionately restrict the taxpayer’s personal and economic freedom. A tax must not have a strangling effect that endangers the livelihoods of citizens. The topic is neglected because – although the media report on tax increases and their consequences – the topic of the tax burden limit as a legal limitation is not addressed.
Further information: www.derblindefleck.de
Contact: Prof. Dr. Hektor Haarkötter (Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg)
hektor.haarkoetter@h-brs.de
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Citation
Initiative Nachrichtenaufklärung / Forgotten News: The »Top Ten Forgotten News of 2025«. Topics that have been neglected by the media. In: Journalism Research, Vol. 8 (1), 2025, pp. 107-111. DOI: 10.1453/2569-152X-12025-15006-en
ISSN
2569-152X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1453/2569-152X-12025-15006-en
First published online
April 2025