“Constructing supposed anti-constitutional activities against a journalistic outlet that—regardless of its editorial stance—acts within the constitutionally protected freedom of expression crossed a legal line that should never be crossed in a Western democracy. This political instrumentalisation of state institutions, initiated by former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser to discipline non-left-wing media actors, has therefore been rightly and unequivocally rejected by the Federal Administrative Court today.
Especially at the European level, where efforts to curb so-called disinformation and control alternative media are gaining traction, this ruling also carries international weight. It strengthens the forces in the European Parliament that vigorously oppose the expansion of a centralised censorship and surveillance structure. Diversity of opinion is not a risk to be managed but the foundation of every functioning democracy. Today’s decision should send a clear signal to Brussels that censorship and media regulation must not become vehicles for ideological conformity.”
Petr Bystron, organiser of the “Conference of Free Media in the Bundestag” and fellow ESN Group MEP, added:
“It ought to be self-evident that media outlets are not banned in Germany. Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are constitutionally protected. The raids on Compact’s editorial offices and former Interior Minister Nancy Faeser’s attempt to ban the outlet marked an inglorious low point in the abuse of state institutions to suppress the opposition in Germany.
It is now time to address this abuse and the injustice inflicted on the victims: Faeser and her accomplices must be held accountable for abuse of office and for undermining the state—using every legal means available.”
