Culture Minister Weimer Faces Plagiarism Claims Over “The European” Magazine
BERLIN – Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer is under scrutiny following reports alleging his Media Group published speeches and texts by politicians without permission for years through its online magazine,”The European.” The allegations, surfacing November 18, 2025, add to existing criticism leveled against Weimer regarding his company’s practices.
The controversy centers on the republication of content without consent, raising questions about copyright law and journalistic ethics.The German Journalists Association has formally called on Weimer to address the publicly discussed allegations and clarify his role in the matter. This dispute arrives amid broader debate surrounding the Ludwig Erhard summit and Weimer’s professional activities outside of his governmental position, possibly impacting public trust and prompting calls for greater transparency from public officials with business interests.
According to ZDF, “The European” magazine defends its practice by stating thay document “vital speeches or press releases from top politicians from the parties represented in the Bundestag,” alongside original journalistic content and commissioned pieces. However,critics argue this does not negate the need for explicit consent when publishing the work of others.Weimer,a non-partisan official,has not yet directly responded to the specific allegations of intellectual theft.
