Western democracies, like the US, are seen as safe havens for press freedom. Yet, the ongoing AP scandal suggests that surveillance of journalists is no taboo. What is the situation in Germany?
Among the media, this has caused considerable outrage - both in the US and abroad, including Germany. The German journalist's association (DJV) has condemned the surveillance as an "act against freedom of the press." After all, without the - often anonymous - sources, investigative reporting would be close to impossible. At the same time, however, there is little fear that German journalists might be in for something similar.
"For Germany, this is something unthinkable," Michael Rediske, the head of the Berlin-Brandenburg branch of the journalist's association told DW.
The Federal Constitutional Court, being the warden of Germany's constitution where press freedom is enshrined, sees this as a far too important value, Rediske said.
As an example, he mentioned the so-called "Cicero Affair:" In 2005, German law enforcement searched the offices of "Cicero" magazine after it had published information form a confidential government file. Following the search, the publication filed a lawsuit - and won.
In the case of the United States, there is a concern for terror and the looming threat it poses. This plays an important role when dealing with issues of press freedom, said Wolfgang Donsbach of Dresden Technical University (TU). While there is no way to justify the government taking up such measures, it is at least partly understandable, he explained.
Read more: Press freedom - and its limitations | Germany | DW.DE | 17.05.201
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