German Editor Punished For Making Fun Of Minister

Daily Report April 09,2025

Listen To Story Above

A German news editor is facing legal consequences for posting a satirical meme, sparking fresh concerns about freedom of expression in the country. David Bendels, editor of Deutschland-Kurier, received a seven-month suspended prison sentence and was ordered to pay a substantial fine amounting to 210 daily rates of his income for sharing a modified image of Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

The controversial meme featured Faeser holding a sign that was digitally altered to read “I hate freedom of speech,” employing a common internet practice of manipulating politicians’ signs for satirical purposes. The Bamberg district court in Bavaria upheld the November conviction this week, determining that Bendels had committed defamation against a political figure.

The severity of the punishment has raised eyebrows, as Bendels asserts this marks the first instance in the Federal Republic’s history where a journalist faces potential imprisonment under this particular statute. The case reportedly originated from a personal complaint filed by Minister Faeser herself.

https://twitter.com/SeibtNaomi/status/1909297763919004152

/div>

Responding to the verdict, Bendels announced his intention to appeal, stating: “We will not accept this verdict and will defend ourselves against it using all legal means. The Deutschland-Kurier and I personally will continue the just struggle for freedom of the press and freedom of expression, which is indispensable for the continued existence of democracy in Germany, resolutely, stably and with all consistency.”

The ruling has drawn criticism from opposition figures, including Björn Höcke, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader in Thuringia, who said: “German politicians, responsible for the deindustrialization of our country and tearing its citizens apart from each other made Germany a laughingstock of the world. They armor themselves and attack freedom of speech again and again, ending our constitutional democracy. We have been warned by Donald Trump and Elon Musk: The enemies of freedom are found within the EU-governments!”

🚨PRIS0N FOR A MEME? WE FIGHT BACK🇩🇪

David Bendels, editor of Deutschlandkurier, posted a photo of interior minister Nancy Faeser saying

“I HATE FREE SPEECH”

She wants to see him in jaiI.

We want to see justice.

Today, we will challenge Faeser to a response, here on X. pic.twitter.com/j747RsxU75

— Naomi Seibt (@SeibtNaomi) November 23, 2024

The financial penalty imposed on Bendels significantly exceeds typical fines in Germany, where research by the Fines and Fees Justice Center shows that most penalties in 2018 ranged between 31 and 90 daily rates. The 210-rate fine would consume nearly 60% of Bendels’ yearly income.

Speaking to the European Conservative in December, Bendels expressed concern about the implications of his sentence, noting that prison terms exceeding 90 days typically result in a criminal record, effectively creating a “muzzle” on his journalistic work. He warned: “If we don’t stop this disastrous development, the journey one day will end in a left-green dictatorship of wokeness. Instead of swastika flags, rainbow flags will fly on all public buildings and places in Germany.”