Reporting Under Pressure: A Journalist’s Account of Covering the AfD in Bavaria
The challenges of objective journalism are increasingly apparent, particularly when covering politically charged subjects. Johannes Reichert, a journalist with Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR), has experienced this firsthand while reporting on the AfD in Bavaria. His work hasn’t been without result, facing accusations of bias and even physical threats.
Reichert recounts a disturbing incident during the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.While reporting in Munich’s Marienplatz, he was physically assaulted. “My tormentor received ten months in prison without parole,” he explains, “also because he had prior convictions and was known to the authorities. He physically attacked me twice, including with punches. The court specifically recognized this as an attack on a press representative, which carries a heavier penalty.”
While the attack led to a conviction, the difficulties didn’t end there. Reichert’s in-depth reporting on the Bavarian afd, including investigative work and established connections within the party, led to a purposeful campaign to discredit and isolate him. “At some point the party decided internally: ‘We’re trying to shut this journalist down.’ I was no longer supposed to receive any information, and a ban was issued – no one from the AfD should speak to me anymore.”
this ban extended to party conferences, initially preventing Reichert from reporting on key events. BR successfully challenged this exclusion with an interim injunction, allowing him to attend last year’s conference. However,even with access granted,the conditions were restrictive. “Security forces were assigned to us journalists to ‘protect’ us,” Reichert says, “but simultaneously prevented us from engaging in normal conversations with delegates or party members – gauging the mood or reporting on events outside the official program.It was no longer possible.”
he views this as a significant infringement on press freedom, a concerning advancement in contemporary Germany. “This was a significant restriction on press freedom that I would not have thought possible in Germany in 2024.”
Navigating this complex landscape requires a delicate balance.BR is responding by openly reporting on the restrictions imposed on their coverage, aiming to demonstrate to the audience how the party interacts with the press. “At the same time, of course, we continue to try to provide factual and substantive information. but that’s a balancing act.”
The response from the public has been mixed. While many express solidarity and recognition for BR’s commitment to neutral and objective reporting, Reichert acknowledges a broader decline in trust in the media. “We receive many letters thanking us for continuing to try to provide information that is as neutral and objective as possible. That is our claim as public broadcasters. But there is also a part of society that still has strong reservations about journalists – and doesn’t always believe us. Sadly, trust in the media has declined in recent years and it is arduous to regain that trust.”
Internally, BR is actively exploring ways to reach and reconnect with more conservative and media-skeptical audiences. “There are regular discussions about what offers we can also make for more conservative or media-skeptical target groups. How do we reach thes people? How can we win back those who doubt?” The station is also conducting media analyses to identify areas for improvement in objectivity and unbiased reporting,recognizing this as an ongoing process.
“We try to do our work in the best possible way – and at the same time show the conditions under which journalistic work now takes place,” reichert concludes, highlighting the importance of clarity in maintaining public trust and upholding the principles of a free press.
