Was Reinhard Mey’s Peace Song canceled by SWR? Now the broadcaster reacts | EUROtoday

The web has been boiling for days: Did SWR really “cancel” Reinhard Mey’s well-known anti-war music “No, I won’t give up my sons” on the “Hit Parade 2025”? There was speak of “censorship”, “political correctness” and even a “boycott” on social media. Now the broadcaster is talking out – and makes it clear: the rumors are unfounded.

SWR takes a stand: “The song was not blocked”

In an in depth assertion dated October 31, 2025, the SWR wrote clearly: “No, the song was not blocked. ‘No, I won’t give up my sons’ could be chosen the whole time.”

The reverse is the case: The music achieved the perfect placement within the historical past of the hit parade to this point – quantity 12. “The song was played on the radio and in the video stream on October 24th, 2025 shortly before 7 p.m.,” it continues.

Sender explains: No “nomination” system – simply solutions

It can also be unsuitable that the title was “no longer nominated”. “SWR1 BW has never nominated songs or artists for the hit parade,” emphasizes the station. Instead, there’s a “suggestion list” that consists of hundreds of songs. This checklist solely makes it simpler for listeners to go looking – “of course the titles can also be entered manually at any time.”

Reason for removing: tried manipulation

So why was the music briefly not on this checklist? The SWR explains: “It was removed because we discovered attempts at manipulation.”

If there’s a noticeable accumulation of voices with “closely spaced timestamps” and “throwaway email addresses,” the sender intervenes. “We want to ensure a fair vote,” it says. Other songs have additionally been briefly eliminated up to now for a similar cause.

Messages of peace stay welcome

The SWR firmly rejects a political background: “Peace songs have always been part of our SWR1 hit parade – including ‘Peace’ by Georg Danzer, ‘Es ist an der Zeit’ by Hannes Wader and ‘Kein Krieg’ by Pur.”

And the broadcaster additionally has a constructive opinion about Reinhard Mey himself: “We were and are in good and friendly contact with him on the matter. He assured us that he knew his songs were in good hands with us.”