Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner has publicly apologized for controversial statements in internal company news. In an article published yesterday evening on the “Bild” website “on my own behalf”, the head of the media company wrote: “I apologize for the fact that I have offended, unsettled or injured many with my words.” The article also appeared in the “Bild am Sonntag”.
The 60-year-old responded directly to a request from “Bild” editor-in-chief Marion Horn. Döpfner wrote: “Actually, an apology is due, boss!” Marion Horn wrote that in “Bild” on Saturday. That’s right.”
What happened?
The weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” reported on Thursday about news that Springer is said to have sent out within the company. The newspaper referred to documents that are said to have come from previous years. The newspaper reported that these were e-mails and chat messages from the media group’s closest management circle, many of which were from the Springer boss himself.
The quotes listed were, for example, derogatory comments about East Germans or criticism of ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). Before the federal election, Döpfner is said to have wished for FDP-friendly reporting in the “Bild” and addressed this to the top of Germany’s largest tabloid newspaper.
The CEO confirmed indirectly in his post, which was headed “True!” bears that certain formulations actually came from him. “”The Ossis are either communists or fascists.” That is hurtful. And taken literally, of course, nonsense. “The” Ossis do not exist. And of course they are not either right-wing or left-wing radicals.”
And further: “The anger that in Thuringia and elsewhere so many vote either left or AfD led me to polemical exaggeration.”
Döpfner’s attempt at an explanation
In particular, the derogatory comments about East Germans that were quoted had triggered outrage. Brandenburg’s Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD), his party colleague Manuela Schwesig from Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow (left) had sharply criticized Döpfner. The federal government’s commissioner for Eastern Europe, Carsten Schneider (SPD), even called for the Springer boss to be replaced.
Döpfner, who is not only the head of the group but also holds a large part of the media house shares, continued in his contribution: “I don’t know how you are doing – I don’t always succeed in writing private messages in the correct tone.”
The 60-year-old went on to explain: “When I’m angry or very happy, my cell phone becomes a lightning rod. I then sometimes send people I trust very much words that are said or typed ‘in the wrong’. Because I like it I assume the recipient knows what it means. And because I can’t imagine or want anyone to pass those words on to anyone else.”
But this has now happened. “There are many lessons to be learned from this. I have done so. One of them remains the idea of ??’freedom of thought’.”
Right in the middle
It is striking in the “Zeit” reporting that several of the quotes from Döpfner are said to have been addressed directly to the former “Bild” editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt. He had to leave the group in autumn 2021 after allegations of abuse of power. Reichelt had denied allegations and later spoke of a “dirty campaign”.
Both sides are considering taking legal action. The news magazine “Der Spiegel” reported a few days ago, citing its own information, that Springer has been considering legal action against Reichelt for some time.
Julian Reichelt’s media lawyer, Ben Irle – who is also quoted in the “Zeit” reporting – said when asked by the dpa that they were examining “the criminal prosecution of behavior and civil claims against all those involved”.
The “Zeit” article appeared a few days before the expected publication of a new book by author Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre. The fictional work – it will be published on Wednesday – is traded as a roman à clef to the media company.
