BILD´s AXEL Springer whose yellow media tactics inspired in the 1970s Heinrich Böll to write a novel, The lost honour of Katharina Blum - turned into film as well - went at the beginning of this week through a turmoil, following an article published in the NYT disclosing the sexual misconduct and other misadventures of the then editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt. The stories surrounding the sex, drugs and money rolls in the Bild´s headquarters were well known for over a year, but the decision to suspend Reichelt was prompted by the latest disclosures in the English-speaking media. The fast answer prompted some bitter yet completely appropriate comments in the German-speaking social media saying that maybe in order for the local authorities to take decisions in sensitive cases - such as, the neo-Nazi networks among the Police and the military - international media should first report about it.
One day after Reichelt was put on leave, AXEL Springer put the dot on the acquisition of POLITICO, a major investment in the English (American) - speaking media.
Bild´s modus operandi is well known long before Hamburg-born Reichelt - a former war correspondent in Syria, Iraq and Lebanon - whose both parents worked for Axel Springer was put in charge of the newspaper. The aggressive and sometimes misleading journalistic style, with a propension for disclosing personal information for purely sensationalist aims, was a main feature of the newspaper from the very beginning. This style that does not have anything to do with the journalistic ethics and the desire to inform the public was eventually translated to other media outlets the company purchased in Eastern Europe, promoting its brand of (non)journalism.
In political terms, Bild - and Axel Springer in general - was a trouble maker with its own agenda. From sending balloons on the other (red) side of the Berlin Wall to its support for the state of Israel, and the open opposition to Putin they made many enemies. But when you are in such a sensitive constellation, being very careful with your internal ethics and the people representing you is more than an image move. It automatically connects with the values you assume to represent.
Mate Schönauer and Moritz Tschermak documented with journalistic attention to detail the emotional take on information that Bild started to play, particularly during Reichelt´s reign. Accusations of voyeurism and grotesque mishandling of data, use of personal information posted on Facebook for sensational aims. Selling emotions and feelings instead of information. While playing the game of sexual favors with the female employees, particularly young interns picked up based on their degree of ´fuckability´...(excuse my French, but journalists may be rough sometimes).
One of his many professional failures? Enjoying the power given by information. And I´ve seen it in the case of too many journalists that once being offered access to secrets of power they are dreaming of being power brokers, changing governments and eventually becoming part of a game that may end up in blackmail if the personal favors are not answered properly. In Bild´s case, the attitude regarding the state-imposed Corona restrictions are an example of an attempt of manipulation of the public opinion with serious health risks, both personal and at society level.
Some of the examples offered in the book, bringing the Bild very close to the AfD mainstream opinion, especially when it comes to immigration and the promotion of a very traditional image of Germany, but also the abusive and misleading public campaigns are nauseating and shameful. Reichelt´s dismisal will not change this line. Personally, I am very curious when and where the former editor-in-chief will reappear. And how long will it last until a new NYT article will warn about another German disgrace, everyone in Germany is well acquainted with.
No comments:
Post a Comment