Germany, Apr 09 (V7N) –Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has reported a dramatic increase in attacks on journalists in Germany, with the number of incidents more than doubling in 2024.
The report, released on Tuesday, documents 89 attacks on media professionals last year, compared to 41 cases in 2023.
This surge is only surpassed by the 103 documented cases in 2022.
In the report, RSF warns that "reporters are experiencing increasing hostility toward the press and a narrowed understanding of press freedom."
Katharina Weiss, co-author of the report, explained to the German broadcaster WDR that animosity toward the press has risen since the Covid pandemic.
Highest number of attacks in Berlin
The majority of attacks, 49, took place in Berlin. In cases of physical violence, 38 occurred at demonstrations over Israel and the war in Gaza.
A reporter for the tabloid newspaper Bild, Iman Sefati, together with photojournalist Yalcin Askin from the Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Antisemitism (JFDA), were threatened, insulted, spat on, beaten several times, kicked and pushed in 29 separate instances.
Weiss said that the two journalists were often recognized by protesters, as they frequently reported on demonstrations in Berlin. The two journalists also always reported attacks to the police.
This is not a given, as the RSF report states. It estimates that some 120 attacks could not be verified by witness statements, and even more go unreported.
A reporter from DW was among those attacked. In October 2024, while interviewing a Syrian musician in Dusseldorf, Adonis Alkhaled, was beaten and insulted by unidentified security personnel at the venue.
Attacks from right wing extremists
At right-wing demonstrations and events hosted by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, 21 acts of violence against journalists were reported.
For example, reporter Kili Weber has been visiting these events regularly in the eastern state of Saxony and was attacked six times last year. A burning cigarette and empty coffee cups were thrown at her, and at one instance she was beaten.
Journalists denounce ‘unprecedented social and editorial pressure’
Co-author Weiss said that many reporters feel they are being restricted by their editorial offices, especially regarding the Israel-Hamas war.
Journalists say that it has become increasingly difficult to report on the Palestinian territories and Israel since the Hamas resistance campaign on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The report cited examples such as the Israeli military being quoted, while Palestinian sources and Human Rights activists were fundamentally scrutinized.
"Such an intoxicated debate culture leads to that journalists avoid sensitive topics," Weiss said.
Germany is ranked 10th out of 180 countries on the press freedom index.
END/MSS/AJ
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