Marienhof lessons
Editorial by Oliver Classen on investigative journalism on both sides of the Atlantic.
Oliver Classen on investigative media journalism on both sides of the Atlantic. "This scandal is the Watergate of the First German Television," judges even the usually reserved FAZ, referring to the outrageous surreptitious advertising practices of the ARD production company Bavaria. These were uncovered and denounced at the beginning of June after years of research by the German industry service epd medien. A scoop of the purest quality. Chapeau, dear colleagues! Things are much more relaxed south of the Rhine in this respect. In mid-May, OFCOM launched an investigation into the SF-DRS format "Traumjob" on suspicion of the same offense. However, it was not editorial mole work that led to this, but a simple query of what could be seen on the screen for weeks in terms of suspected tying deals. So is Michael Haller's thesis (see interview on p. 29) that Swiss investigative journalism is "a contradiction in terms" true?
It seems that way - at least from a German perspective. After all, ex-Spiegel man Dieter Degler, who advised Tamedia on the relaunch of Facts last year, also complained about the fear of local researchers of perhaps making themselves unpopular or even getting their hands dirty. Naturally, this is especially true when it comes to media topics. After all, who wants to get into trouble with their next potential employer? Especially if they more or less discreetly point out this relationship of dependency. Believe me, I speak from experience.
And the Marienhof idyll has taught us something else: that in the age of programming, bartering and other so-called "innovative forms of advertising", vigilant, critical self-observation by the media is more necessary than ever. Hence an appeal to local publishers: professionalize your media reporting - to prevent Watergate, so to speak. And one to your colleagues: In addition to chutzpah, you also need staying power to catch big fish. So let's use the summer vacation to get some air!
> Oliver Classen, Editor
It seems that way - at least from a German perspective. After all, ex-Spiegel man Dieter Degler, who advised Tamedia on the relaunch of Facts last year, also complained about the fear of local researchers of perhaps making themselves unpopular or even getting their hands dirty. Naturally, this is especially true when it comes to media topics. After all, who wants to get into trouble with their next potential employer? Especially if they more or less discreetly point out this relationship of dependency. Believe me, I speak from experience.
And the Marienhof idyll has taught us something else: that in the age of programming, bartering and other so-called "innovative forms of advertising", vigilant, critical self-observation by the media is more necessary than ever. Hence an appeal to local publishers: professionalize your media reporting - to prevent Watergate, so to speak. And one to your colleagues: In addition to chutzpah, you also need staying power to catch big fish. So let's use the summer vacation to get some air!
> Oliver Classen, Editor
