Project
Information Manipulation Targeting Germany Abroad: Safeguarding Germany’s Economic Interests
Context
Online narratives that shape perceptions of Germany are no longer solely a domestic challenge – they increasingly emerge and gain traction beyond Germany’s borders. In key partner countries, narratives circulate that distort perceptions of Germany as a business location, employer and trading partner. These narratives can damage Germany’s reputation, deter skilled workers from migrating, and undermine trust in German companies abroad.
Countries such as Brazil, India and South Africa are particularly relevant, given their importance to Germany’s economic and skilled-labour strategy. Across social media, narratives spread that portray Germany as, for example, unsafe, economically unstable or hostile to migration. Despite growing efforts to monitor online environments, there is so far no systematic mechanism for examining how such narratives emerge abroad, and what consequences they have for Germany’s economic interests and international standing.
