Palestinian journalist Sues German Media Giant Axel Springer Over “Hamas Propaganda” Claims
Berlin – Palestinian journalist Anas Zayed Fteiha has filed a criminal complaint in Germany against Axel Springer, the media conglomerate that owns BILD, alleging defamation and violations of German press law stemming from a September article accusing him of disseminating Hamas propaganda. The complaint, filed September 18th, centers on a BILD report that questioned the authenticity of images Fteiha shared documenting the impact of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
The lawsuit underscores growing concerns about the framing of the conflict in Western media and the potential for journalists covering the crisis in Gaza to be unfairly targeted. Fteiha’s case arrives amid heightened scrutiny of reporting on the Israel-Hamas war, with accusations of bias leveled against numerous outlets. A triumphant challenge could set a precedent for protecting journalists reporting from conflict zones and upholding standards of journalistic integrity in Germany and beyond.
According to court documents, the BILD article falsely claimed Fteiha had not distributed the images in question and was merely posing as a journalist.The complaint alleges the report violated multiple standards of German press law,specifically regarding suspicion reporting,which requires careful research,a factual basis,and an opportunity for the subject to respond before publication – all of which,the filing asserts,BILD ignored.
The dispute began after Fteiha shared images depicting the aftermath of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza. BILD subsequently published an article questioning the images’ authenticity and suggesting Fteiha was acting as a mouthpiece for Hamas. On September 1st, Fteiha, represented by lawyer Aboubacar Yeboah, filed a cease-and-desist order demanding a retraction and coverage of legal costs, reserving the right to pursue further damages.
Axel Springer’s lawyer, Felix Seidel, rejected the demand in a letter dated September 4th, stating the company did not intend to comply. The complaint argues the BILD article contained false claims and failed to meet the requirements for permissible suspicion reporting under German law.
“I believe my role as a journalist is to bear witness to what is happening and to convey the truth to the world – no matter the cost,” Fteiha told The Intercept while continuing to report from Gaza amidst ongoing Israeli bombardment and the threat of a ground invasion.
The case is ongoing, and the outcome could have significant implications for media coverage of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the protection of journalists operating in war zones.
