2023-04-16 10:11:06
Mathias Döpfner apologizes
Mathias Döpfner, CEO of Axel Springer SE
Source: dpa/Bernd von Jutrczenka
“I apologize for offending, unsettling or hurting many with my words,” writes Axel Springer boss Mathias Döpfner. He refers to internal messages in which he made disparaging remarks about East Germans and heavily criticized Angela Merkel.
Axel-Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner has apologized for internal news that had become public through a media report. In an article published on Saturday evening on the “Bild” website “on my own behalf”, the CEO of the media company, to which WELT also belongs, wrote: “I apologize for the fact that I have offended, unsettled or injured many with my words. “
The 60-year-old responded directly to a request from “Bild” editor-in-chief Marion Horn. Döpfner wrote: “Actually, an apology is due, boss!” Marion Horn wrote in “Bild” on Saturday. Is correct.”
The weekly newspaper “Die Zeit” had reported on messages that were 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 newspaper, these are e-mails and chat messages from the media group’s closest management circle, many of which come from the Springer boss himself.
The quotes listed were, for example, derogatory comments about East Germans or criticism of ex-Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU). Before the federal elections, Döpfner is said to have wished for FDP-friendly reporting in the “Bild” and addressed this to the top of Germany’s largest tabloid newspaper.
Döpfner confirms indirectly in his contribution, which bears the heading “Right!” that certain formulations actually came from him. “The Ossis are either communists or fascists.” That is hurtful. And literally nonsense, of course. “The” Ossis do not exist. And of course they are not either right-wing or left-wing radicals.” And further: “The anger that so many in Thuringia and elsewhere choose 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.”
“There are many lessons to be learned from this. I did this”
The 60-year-old continued: “When I’m angry or very happy, my cell phone becomes a lightning rod. I then sometimes send words that are said or typed “into the impure” to people I trust very much. Because I assume the recipient knows what is meant. And because I cannot or do not want anyone to pass these words on to third parties.” But this has now happened. “There are many lessons to be learned from this. I did this. One of them remains the idea of “freedom of thought.”
In a Springer internal communication, Döpfner had previously written: “My articles, which have been published for more than four decades, show what I think. I take responsibility for every published word. Snippets of text and conversation taken out of context cannot be contrasted with my “true thinking.”
It is striking in the “Zeit” reporting that several of the quotes from Döpfner are said to have been addressed directly to the former “Bild” editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt. 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 Zeit article came days before an expected publication of a new book by writer Benjamin von Stuckrad-Barre. The fictitious work – it will appear next Wednesday – is traded as a roman à clef to the media house.
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