The University of Erfurt conducted a yearlong study as part of a project for Communications and Mass Media showing how the economic crisis in Greece has perpetuated stereotypes in the press. Research was conducted by six students, under the guidance of Political Science and Media Professor Dr. Kai Hafez, who wanted to monitor the depth of stereotypes in the German media. The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) supported the research to measure how the Greek economic crisis is portrayed across the German press spectrum from tabloids to more serious publications.

Deutsche Welle reports that research showed that the German media was prejudiced in its portrayal of Greeks with references to “debt-struck Greeks”, “lazy Greeks”, “tax evaders” reimbursed by the EU and other similar descriptions. Surprisingly, these images weren’t only maintained in the yellow press, such as the German BILD, but were also noted in serious, high-caliber newspapers.

Tabloid the BILD was especially found to provide incorrect information, silly accusations and false simplifications aimed at stirring opinion rather than relying on facts. However, the stereotypes seeped across the spectrum of the German press.

Questionnaires conducted showed that Germans are affected by the stereotypical images of Greeks regardless of their age or educational level with most believing that Greeks are now paying the price of living amongst their means. Dr. Hafez believes that the German media is to blame for the misconceptions held by Germans and their belief that wrong financial handling is reflective of Greek people’s nature.