Tag: Germany

Edition 3-4/2025, Paper

Policies of deterrence The impact of anti-Semitism resolutions on journalism in Germany

By Mandy Tröger | Since the German Bundestag passed the so-called »BDS resolution« in May 2019, the issue of anti-Semitism in Germany has not only been a subject of political and legal debates, but increasingly also of media discourse. The resolution, which condemned the BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaign against Israel and its settlement policy as anti-Semitic (German Bundestag 2019), is not legally binding. Still, according to the Bundestag cross-party initiative, it is intended to have a normative effect. The resolution has had a direct impact on public debates, for example through restricting public spaces to discuss the BDS campaign (cf. German Bundestag 2020: 4ff., Tröger 2019). Since then, similar resolutions at the federal level have reinforced this development.

Edition 3-4/2024, Focus

Plagiarism accusations during election campaigns: How should suspicions be reported? Recommendations for editorial offices when dealing with discoveries by "plagiarism hunters"

By Jochen Zenthöfer | Shortly before an election, the editorial office receives some accusations of plagiarism. What should they do? Report on them or ignore them? This paper provides a structure that ensures that journalists do not become instruments of plagiarism hunters. After all, once reported on, some accusations take on a life of their own; while others later turn out to be false. Accusations of plagiarism have now become part of the political contest. The principles for reporting on accusations are also relevant. Just a few days before an election, absolutely nothing should be reported regarding accusations that cannot be investigated in such a short time. Yet media do not need to wait until a university has made its final decision, either.