Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner has apologized for internal news that was made public by a media report. In one on the PictureThe media company boss wrote in an article published on the website “on his own behalf”: “I apologize for the fact that I have offended, unsettled or injured many with my words.”
The 60-year-old reacted directly to a corresponding request from Picture– Editor-in-Chief Marion Horn. Döpfner wrote: “‘Actually, an apology is due, boss!’ That’s what Marion Horn did on Saturday Picture written. Is correct.”
The Time reported on Thursday about messages that are said to have been sent within the company at Springer. The newspaper referred to documents that are said to have come from previous years. According to the weekly newspaper, these are e-mails and chat messages from the closest management circle of the media group, many of which are from the Springer boss himself.
The quotes listed included, for example, derogatory comments about East Germans or criticism of ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). Before the general election, Döpfner should also get FDP-friendly reporting in the Picture wanted and addressed this to the top of the largest tabloid newspaper in Germany.
“When I’m angry or very happy, my phone becomes a lightning rod”
Döpfner indirectly confirmed in his contribution, which was headlined “Right!” bears that certain formulations actually came from him. “‘The Ossis are either communists or fascists.’ That’s hurtful. And taken literally, of course, nonsense. ‘The’ Ossis don’t exist. And of course they’re not either right-wing or left-wing radicals.” And further: “The anger that in Thuringia and elsewhere so many vote either left or AfD led me to polemical exaggeration.”
Döpfner, who is not only the head of the group but also holds a large part of the media company’s shares, continued to write: “I don’t know how you are doing – I don’t always succeed in writing private messages in the correct tone.” The 60-year-old explained further: “When I’m angry or very happy, my cell phone becomes a lightning rod. I then sometimes send people I trust very much words that are said or typed ‘in the wrong’. Because I like it I assume the recipient knows what it means. And because I can’t imagine or want anyone to pass those words on to anyone else.” But this has now happened. “You can learn a lot from that. I’ve done that. One of them is the idea of ’freedom of thought’https://www.sueddeutsche.de/medien/.”
Several messages to former “Bild” editor-in-chief Reichelt
Striking is in the Time-Reporting that several of the quotes listed by Döpfner go directly to the earlier ones Picture– Editor-in-Chief Julian Reichelt should have been addressed. He had to leave the group in autumn 2021 after allegations of abuse of power. Reichelt had denied allegations and later spoke of a “dirty campaign”. Both sides are considering taking legal action against each other.
The Time-Article appeared days ahead of an expected publication of a new book by writer Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre. The fictional work – it will be published on Wednesday – is traded as a roman à clef to the media house.