Friedrichs Prize for von der Tann: demonization or defamation? | EUROtoday

The controversy surrounding the awarding of the Hanns Joachim Friedrich Prize to ARD correspondent Sophie von der Tann continues. The journalist receives criticism, but additionally assist, for her reporting on the Gaza battle.

Twelve initiatives have come ahead with a request to droop the awards ceremony and have submitted program complaints to Bayerischer Rundfunk and Norddeutscher Rundfunk. They need to maintain a vigil in entrance of the WDR radio station in Cologne on Thursday afternoon throughout the awards ceremony. The Association of Jewish Journalists additionally “regrets” the award ceremony. The truthful impartiality attributed to the prize’s namesake is “many times” lacking “in ARD’s Middle East reporting in general and in Ms. von der Tann’s contributions in particular.”

“Multidimensional, multifaceted” contributions would get replaced by “recurring narrative patterns that are limited to portraying Israel as an aggressor.” Israeli statements could be labeled “as possibly untrue,” whereas “information from Hamas or actors close to it” could be “accepted without equally judgmental distancing.” In the award justification, Sophie von der Tann can also be praised for her partisanship and it’s implied that it’s “not easy for a German journalist to criticize Israel.” “Your own reporting, a quick look at the German media landscape and on social media proved the opposite.”

Describing the Israeli ambassador Ron Prosor as “powerful” with out specifying the “effectiveness,” because the awardees of the Friedrichs Prize do, seems to be “demonization.” To converse of “‘brutal’, orchestrated ‘waves of reaction’ on social media” with out additional proof comes “dangerously close to stereotypes of a conspiratorial Jewish lobby that has secret power.”

The former ZDF presenter Claus Kleber rejected the criticism of the award in an interview with the FAZ as “completely unfounded”. According to Kleber, they’ve seemed carefully at von der Tann’s work and, in gentle of the criticism, need to sign to her that she is held in excessive regard by many. The jury made the choice “unanimously” and there was “no idea” of suspending the award ceremony.

The program director of Bavarian Radio, Thomas Hinrichs, additionally spoke out towards the criticism. “We practice independent journalism with a constant awareness of our responsibility,” says Hinrichs. “The work of my colleagues under difficult conditions is praised and criticized. We are dealing with this. However, defamation undermines democratic discourse and prevents constructive discussion. We oppose this resolutely.”

The group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) stated it was “showing solidarity with ARD Middle East correspondent Sophie von der Tann.” She sees “a shitstorm that is not limited to social media.” Representatives of the Israeli state reminiscent of reserve military spokesman Arye Shalicar and ambassador Ron Prosor attacked them in unseemly methods.

“Of course” journalistic work “may be objectively criticized”. However, if representatives of a state defame particular person journalists by title, a restrict is being crossed, stated RSF managing director Anja Osterhaus. “Such attempts at intimidation and insults” may have critical penalties “for the reputation and even the safety of those affected.” “The aim seems to be to prevent media professionals from reporting in a certain way. That is unacceptable.”

Meron Mendel, the top of the Anne Frank instructional heart in Frankfurt (who additionally writes as a columnist for the FAZ), advised the Evangelical Press Service that he didn’t take into account the allegations towards Sophie von der Tann to be justified. He is aware of her personally and appreciates her work. As far because the Middle East battle is worried, the scenario is that some individuals now not imagine the mainstream media as a result of they’re too Israel-friendly, whereas one other half is satisfied that they’re too pro-Palestinian. “Journalists who have the difficult task of reporting from the Middle East will therefore never be able to completely satisfy these people,” Mendel is quoted as saying.