District court judges: attack on journalists as a danger to freedom of the press!
District court judges: attack on journalists as a danger to freedom of the press!
Kirchstraße, Berlin-Moabit, Deutschland - On June 11, 2025, the Tiergarten district court in Berlin announced a judgment against Fadie al Z. (42 years) for intentional bodily harm. The defendant was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment after he had hit journalists Thomas H. (65 years) on December 17, 2024 in the corridors of the Administrative Court in Berlin-Moabit. Thomas H. was on site to report on an immigration law procedure against the defendant's uncle and had made film recordings.
The incident occurred when Thomas H. asked about a statement by the accused. Fadie al Z. suddenly hit him in the face, which led to a hematoma on the left eye as well as too severe headaches and nausea for the journalist. In the process, Al Z. confessed the crime and expressed that the film recordings had disturbed him. Despite his apology, Thomas H. did not accept this.
verdict and freedom of the press
The judge pointed out that the blow was considered an attack on freedom of the press. In view of the criminal record of the accused, she considered a suspension of the punishment for probation. No positive legal forecast was seen for a punished life of the accused. Fadie al Z. has the option of lodging an appeal within a week because the decision is not yet final.
In the broader social debate about attacks on journalists, this incident is seen as an alarming example. According to a recent study by the European Center for Press and Media Freedom (EPCMF) , the number of physical attacks on journalists in Germany increased. The number of such incidents increased from 56 in 2022 to 69 in 2023, with Berlin recorded the most attacks with 25 cases.
always difficult conditions for journalists
According to the EPCMF data, 77 percent of the attacks took place during demonstrations, with 40 percent of these incidents took place in pro-Palestinian meetings. Local journalists are particularly at risk because they can act less anonymously and often experience direct confrontations. The reports are correct with an investigation by Reporter without borders that indicates the increased attacks during the pandemic.The protection of freedom of the press and the protection of journalists remain decisive topics in today's society, especially in view of the increasing violence against media professionals.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Ort | Kirchstraße, Berlin-Moabit, Deutschland |
| Quellen | |
Kommentare (0)