Hagemann and Wanner cross swords in panel discussion
On Tuesday evening, Peter Wanner and Matthias Hagemann faced off at a panel discussion in Basel. Their heated exchange revealed not only their disagreements but also a common ground between the publishers: Both want to assert their independence against the expanding Zurich-based publishing houses.
On Tuesday evening, Mittelandzeitung publisher Peter Wanner and Basler Zeitung publisher Matthias Hagemann met in a panel discussion in Basel. It was the first public meeting between the two since Wanner encroached on Hagemann's territory in December 2007 with the purchase of Basellandschaftliche Zeitung, after which their relationship became rather strained. As reported by the Basler Zeitung, the publishers offered the audience a lively exchange of blows, the entertainment value of which clearly overshadowed the actual topic of the discussion (Basel as a media city: new beginnings or demolition?). Apparently, Wanner accused Hagemann of wanting to damage him directly with the free newspaper "News". Hagemann, however, countered and called it a "fairy tale", as Wanner justified his takeover of the Basellandschaftliche Zeitung.
Wanner apparently once again offered Hagemann an alliance against the expansive Zurich publishing houses ("an alliance against the Zurich-Bern axis", as the Aargauer Zeitung quoted), to which Hagemann replied that he himself would choose who he considered suitable as a partner. In summary, the Basler Zeitung said that behind all the animosity, however, it had become clear that although there was no agreement on the path, there was agreement on the goal: both publishers wanted to maintain their independence.
