An external investigation into Deutsche Welle’s Arabic department ran for weeks. The allegation against some employees in the room: anti-Semitism. The broadcaster draws the first conclusions.
Following allegations of anti-Semitism against employees of Deutsche Welle (DW), the German foreign broadcaster has initiated separation proceedings in five cases.
That’s what DW director Peter Limbourg said in a press conference. No information was given about the individual employees. The broadcaster also wants to set a definition of anti-Semitism and make it mandatory internally. This includes the recognition of Israel’s right to exist and the rejection of denial and trivialization of the Holocaust.
In the past few weeks, an external investigation initiated by the broadcaster has been underway against some employees of the Arabic editorial team and freelance DW employees abroad. The whole thing was a result of allegations of anti-Semitism that became public through a report in the Süddeutsche Zeitung at the end of November. More press reports followed. The employees were released for the time of the audit.
Structural anti-Semitism not identified
Former Federal Minister of Justice Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger and the psychologist Ahmad Mansour presented the results of their external examination. They emphasized that it was a case of isolated misconduct. A structural anti-Semitism in the Arabic editorial team was not found.
In addition to the five separation procedures, Deutsche Welle is investigating eleven other suspected cases, as Limbourg explained. In addition to eight suspected cases that arose from the test, three other cases were discovered in the course of DW’s own investigations in the past few weeks. One of these three people is no longer employed by DW.
At the beginning of his remarks, Limbourg emphasized: “I and the management are sincerely sorry that we are in this situation. The mere suspicion that there is anti-Semitism in a German tax-financed institution must be unbearable for Jews in this country and worldwide.” He spoke of omissions and mistakes.
There was one case, for example, in which one had to admit that one should have pursued the allegation of an anti-Semitic statement more consistently. In the case that became known to the broadcaster, an immediate separation should actually have been initiated.
Suspension of five employees justified
Mansour explained the results of the audit: The suspension of five employees was justified. There are also eight other cases, some with serious anti-Semitic statements, which have been forwarded to Deutsche Welle so that they can deal with each other. At the same time, Mansour made it clear that there were also isolated errors in the reporting, but no structural anti-Semitism could be identified.
Mansour also addressed the Arabic editorial team as a whole. One got the impression that this was “deeply divided”. A fresh start and restructuring are necessary. If that doesn’t happen, there is a great concern that something new could happen in a few months that could damage Deutsche Welle’s reputation. A lot has to be done to end the split in an editorial office with more than 200 employees. The test report revealed an atmosphere of distrust.
Intendant Limbourg also said in the interview that the head of the Arabic editorial team had offered to step down from his managerial position last week. The offer was accepted. Thank him for his work.
According to Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, the test started on December 17 with a total of 32 interviews by the end of January. That was part of the staff. Distribution partners of Deutsche Welle – ie partner stations in the region of the Arabic editorial office – were also checked on a random basis. She emphasized that DW must continue to deal with it intensively. Weeks ago, press reports were also critical of DW partners. The foreign broadcaster then suspended its cooperation with the Jordanian broadcaster Roya TV. The magazine “Vice” had previously reported on the station.
The audit report says: “We recommend entering into dialogue and only entering into cooperation again under the condition that the anti-Semitic caricatures are deleted and that reporting is contractually assured that no more anti-Semitic content will be conveyed in the future.” The audit report also dealt with other partner broadcasters. The recommendations varied and went as far as ending the collaboration.
“The broadcaster should quickly implement the recommendations of the experts”
The President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, explained the results of the test at Deutsche Welle: “The station should now quickly implement the recommendations of the experts. In three months, Deutsche Welle should present an initial report that provides information on the measures taken.”
The Minister of State for Culture and Media, Claudia Roth, explained: “I would like to take this opportunity to express my respect for the work of the journalists who uncovered these abuses.” Roth, who is also a member of the foreign broadcaster’s Broadcasting Council supervisory body, emphasized that she had pointed out that it was a central task of DW’s directorship and management, in light of what was presented
report to the supervisory bodies to propose suitable, including structural, measures for sales, program, academy and human resources management.
Source: Stern
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