Julia Ruhs' blockbuster book
Julia Ruhs, a young political scientist and journalist, has stirred up a storm with her latest book, "Linksgreene Meinungsmacht. Die Spaltung unseres Landes." (Left-Green Opinion Power. The Division of Our Country), published by Langen Müller.
Born in 1994 and raised in the Swabian countryside, Ruhs began her career at Bayerischer Rundfunk as a regional reporter. She later gained wider recognition in 2021 when she spoke out against gender language in the "ARD-Mittagsmagazin." In 2023, she made headlines again for her stance against "illegal immigration" in the "Tagesthemen."
In her book, Ruhs argues that overly moralizing and pedagogical attitudes among left-liberal media makers have achieved less enlightenment than a defiant "reactance" among some audience members. She suggests that progressive journalists should critically examine why they often lose opinion struggles.
The book, with 192 pages and a hardcover, costs 20 €. It has been promoted by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a prominent conservative think tank. However, it has been criticized for having unsustainable and interest-driven theses, with some arguing that it may lead leftists to feel above all criticism.
Interestingly, Ruhs' book does not provide a new analysis of fake news or the influence of billionaires, as some might expect. Nor does it feature contributions from authors such as Wolfgang Kubicki, Harald Martenstein, and Vince Ebert, as announced in the book's preface.
Despite these criticisms, Ruhs' book has been guaranteed to be a bestseller in Germany. Ruhs has been rewarded with a column at "Focus Online" and her own TV show called "Klar." Her book also suggests that right-wing journalists can continue doing right-wing journalism without concern for balance or neutrality, a claim that has sparked further debate.
Ruhs' debut book is a critique of left-liberal journalism, suggesting a lack of neutrality and balance. Whether her arguments will lead to a reevaluation of journalistic practices remains to be seen.
