30. Which is not a characteristic of our democracy?

Answer options

1. regular elections
2. press censorship
3. freedom of expression
4. multiple parties

Explanation

Core elements of Germany’s liberal-democratic order include regular, free, equal, direct and secret elections (Art. 38(1) GG; Art. 28(1) GG), freedom of opinion and of the press (Art. 5(1) GG), and a pluralistic party system (Art. 21 GG). By contrast, press censorship is constitutionally prohibited: “Censorship shall not take place” (Art. 5(1) sentence 3 GG). Restrictions on expression exist only under general laws, the protection of youth, and personal honor (Art. 5(2) GG) and must not amount to prior restraint. Press censorship is therefore not a feature of German democracy but antithetical to it.