The German Journalists’ Union (dju), which operates within the Verdi union, has identified a marked increase in assaults and obstructions targeting media professionals at AfD events in Saxony-Anhalt. This finding comes from an analysis conducted by the dju, which was reported on by “Spiegel”.
According to the assessment, more than 30 incidents have been recorded since May, affecting at least 43 journalists, television crews, and political influencers. The range of intimidation tactics is broad, covering verbal defamation, deliberate professional hindrance, stalking, up to physical attacks-five of which were documented. Doxing, the publication of personal data online, has also been reported.
Of these incidents, 25 occurred in the past three weeks alone. The statistics include disruptions and attacks against reporters from RTS, SRF, CBC News, ProSieben, RBB, WDR, and MDR, as well as the portal “Politico.” Notably, the data also captures an incident in Merseburg where a streamer bumped into a “Spiegel” reporter during an AfD gathering.
The dju emphasizes that a significant portion of the recent incidents stemmed from escalating behavior by right-wing and far-right streamers and media activists who largely dominated the environment at AfD events.
Lucas Munzke, the deputy regional specialist manager for Verdi, commented on the situation: “What we are observing in this election campaign in Saxony-Anhalt are not isolated cases. The AfD is a party hostile to the media. It not only challenges the public broadcasting system but also obstructs and hinders independent reporting at party conventions, demonstrations, and especially now during the election campaign.”
