On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, Reporters Without Borders Germany (RSF) launches “The First Speech” – a campaign exposing the hopeful, beautiful words used by modern … read moreautocrats when becoming presidents, but who quickly turn against human rights and independent journalism. An observation that is supported by the campaign's tagline "The loss of freedom is never obvious at first." The initiative is strategically launched during a pivotal moment for democracy: 2024 is the biggest electoral year in history, with over 80 countries holding elections and an estimated 4 billion voters heading to the polls. Created by Innocean Berlin in collaboration with Stink Films Berlin, the campaign includes a series of films, posters, digital out-of-home, and social media. In the three films, directed by Giordano Maestrelli, we hear segments from the very first speeches of Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nicolás Maduro when becoming presidents, each filled with pretty promises about safeguarding freedom and democracy. With cinematography by Konrad Losch, the visuals portray citizens from these countries tuning into their newly elected leaders through radio or TV, on the day when the speech took place. The films will air in movie theatres in Germany and RSF Germany’s YouTube channel.
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