/ A campaigner for free speech
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has presented the Freedom Award 2020 to Dr h. c. Friede Springer for her commitment to the freedom of the press, and her promotion of tolerance and social cohesion in Germany.
By presenting the Freedom Award to Dr h. c. Friede Springer, the Foundation paid tribute to her as a campaigner for free speech and media freedom. Friede Springer is a visionary entrepreneur who boldly orchestrated the sustainable development of Axel Springer SE into an international digital media and technology company. In the role of benefactor, Dr h. c. Friede Springer is a passionate promotor of education, science, culture and research, of German-Jewish reconciliation and Germany’s relationship with the State of Israel.
“Friede Springer is an award recipient who takes a clear stand in an age of ambiguity. Not only does she represent Axel Springer’s commitment to freedom for the press, she is herself a campaigner for freedom of speech in a free world. This commitment, this steadfastness and this courage is exactly what we need to defend both the freedom of the press and the freedom of all mankind in the future,” said the Chairman of the Management Board of the Naumann Foundation, Professor Karl-Heinz Paqué, explaining the jury’s decision at the award presentation event in St. Paul’s Church, Frankfurt.
In his laudatory speech for Dr h. c. Friede Springer, Dr Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE, highlighted her liberal principles: “Never tolerate intolerance, never discriminate, and never exclude for reasons of sexual orientation, colour, nationality or religion.”
The unendowed Freedom Award was launched by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in 2006 and it is presented on a bi-annual basis to an outstanding individual who has made a notable contribution to the promotion of a liberal civil society, thereby helping to consolidate liberal values and objectives. Former Freedom Award recipients include Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Mario Vargas Llosa, Necla Kelek and Joachim Gauck.
/ Excerpt from the acceptance speech
“I have always embraced, enjoyed and enforced the principle of freedom and, whenever possible, I continue to do so. Freedom is an important word at our publishing company. It is written into our Essentials, into our principles. It is part of our statutes and written into contracts with our journalists in Germany. The Essentials have guided our company since 1967. At the time, they were things we almost took for granted. For example, Axel Springer always felt it was overridingly important to stand up for freedom of speech, and to uphold the principles and strengths of freedom. I have applied discipline and perseverance to upholding these same principles, and I believe that our publishing company has the responsibility to ensure intelligent, fair and truthful reporting. It is our responsibility to uphold and support these social values, and to always give our best.”
The unendowed Freedom Award was launched by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in 2006 and it is presented on a bi-annual basis to an outstanding individual who has made a notable contribution to the promotion of a liberal civil society, thereby helping to consolidate liberal values and objectives. Former Freedom Award recipients include Hans-Dietrich Genscher, Mario Vargas Llosa, Necla Kelek and Joachim Gauck.
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