Reworking does not count
Commentary In newspaper interviews with decision-makers from politics, business and the media, the spoken word must once again prevail, demands Oliver Classen.
Commentary In newspaper interviews with decision-makers from politics, business and the media, the spoken word must once again prevail, demands Oliver Classen. Once again, the Berlin daily newspaper has confidently and smugly drawn attention to a blatant journalistic malpractice: at the end of November, an interview with Olaf Scholz that had been distorted beyond recognition graced the front page of the left-wing central organ. The SPD Secretary General's answers appeared blacked out. The reason: his office had not only smoothed out, watered down and thus completely distorted the original statements, but also threatened the most independent German newspaper with exclusion from future background discussions. No wonder, after all, every newspaper today suffers from the bad habit of subsequently embellishing or even reversing oral statements in the course of so-called "authorization". This specifically German-language ritual - belief in authority is known to be a question of mentality - not only means a journalistic competitive disadvantage compared to the electronic live media; it also undermines the autonomy and credibility of the fourth power in the country, which has been degraded to a PR pillar.
However, the laudable protest by journalists and publishers has a dark, industry-internal flip side, as our colleagues at Kress Report recently pointed out. Werbewoche also knows from painful experience that media managers and editors-in-chief of all people are true virtuosos in this (self-)mutilation technique. And the stock market listing of publishers and agencies further accentuates the unfortunate trend towards zero statements and warm words. In this respect, family companies and edgy publishing personalities are a journalistic blessing.
When it comes to interviews with the notoriously diplomatic Swiss political and business elite, this development has particularly drastic consequences, especially for media journalists. So here is a pious Christmas wish from one of those affected: Dear people, if you are already sitting in a glass house and (rightly) throwing stones, then please set a good example. Here in this country too. We don't want to name any names this time - but we do want to make a strong appeal to professional ethics to allow the spoken word to count more in future.
> Oliver Classen, Editor
However, the laudable protest by journalists and publishers has a dark, industry-internal flip side, as our colleagues at Kress Report recently pointed out. Werbewoche also knows from painful experience that media managers and editors-in-chief of all people are true virtuosos in this (self-)mutilation technique. And the stock market listing of publishers and agencies further accentuates the unfortunate trend towards zero statements and warm words. In this respect, family companies and edgy publishing personalities are a journalistic blessing.
When it comes to interviews with the notoriously diplomatic Swiss political and business elite, this development has particularly drastic consequences, especially for media journalists. So here is a pious Christmas wish from one of those affected: Dear people, if you are already sitting in a glass house and (rightly) throwing stones, then please set a good example. Here in this country too. We don't want to name any names this time - but we do want to make a strong appeal to professional ethics to allow the spoken word to count more in future.
> Oliver Classen, Editor
