The decision by Germany’s ARD broadcaster to award its prestigious Hanns-Joachim Friedrichs Prize to Israel correspondent Sophie von der Tann has ignited a fierce political backlash, with Israel’s Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, publicly condemning the choice as indicative of a troubling bias within German media. Prosor’s critique, delivered to “Welt” alleges that von der Tann has previously downplayed the brutality of Hamas militants, referring to them as “militant Palestinians” even shortly after the October 7th attacks.
Prosor’s statements represent a pointed accusation of ideological alignment overshadowing journalistic integrity. He invoked the legacy of Hanns-Joachim Friedrichs, the award’s namesake, known for advocating for neutral and factual reporting, arguing that this principle is consistently disregarded when it comes to coverage of Israel. “Hanns Joachim Friedrichs always said that journalists should not align themselves with any cause” Prosor stated, directly challenging the perceived impartiality of the selection process.
The decision to jointly award the 2025 prize to von der Tann (based in Tel Aviv) and Katharina Willinger (covering Istanbul/Tehran), further complicates the situation. While Willinger’s work may be deemed valuable, the inclusion alongside von der Tann amplifies the perception of a systematically skewed perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The timing of the award, slated for December 2025 and hosted by the WDR in Cologne, coincides with ongoing international scrutiny of media reporting concerning the conflict. Prosor’s remarks are likely to fuel a broader debate about the responsibility of German media to provide balanced and unbiased coverage and to consider the potential impact of awards like this one on public perception and the ongoing diplomatic tensions between Israel and Germany. Critics argue that accolades like this risk normalizing reporting that diminishes the gravity of events and potentially undermines efforts towards a just resolution.
