Nearly 90% of Germans fear foreign election interference, finds survey

BERLIN (Reuters) - Nearly 90% of Germans believe foreign actors, primarily from Russia and the U.S., are trying to influence upcoming national elections through social media, a survey found on Thursday.

Industry association Bitkom conducted a representative survey of more than 1,000 eligible voters last month that found 45% of respondents believe Russia is at the forefront of manipulation attempts, followed closely by the United States at 42%, and well ahead of China, at 26%, and Eastern Europe at 8%.

For some two-thirds (69%) of eligible voters, the internet is an important source of information about the elections set for February 23, but conversations with friends and family continue to be more important, at 82%. Television, at 76%, still plays an important role as well, especially for people over 75.

Roughly 80% of respondents called for the next government to make digital policy one of its priorities and 71% were in favour of creating a new, independent digital ministry, found Bitkom.

"The new digital ministry must be equipped with all the necessary rights and resources, needs its own budget and a digital proviso for new laws and projects," said Bitkom President Ralf Wintergerst at a news conference.

(Reporting by Christian Kraemer; Writing by Miranda Murray)

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