Compact Magazin Website

Media Diversity Institute

Compact Magazine Banned by German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser

Background:

Compact Magazine is a right-wing German publication founded in 2010 by Jürgen Elsässer. The magazine has been accused of spreading extremist and anti-democratic propaganda, and has been under scrutiny by German authorities for several years.

Banning the Magazine:

On March 17, 2023, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser announced the banning of Compact Magazine and its online platforms. The ban prohibits the distribution and dissemination of the magazine in any form, including print, digital, and online. The decision was made after a thorough investigation by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV).

The BfV concluded that Compact Magazine "poses a threat to public safety and order in Germany" and "incites hatred and violence against certain population groups." The magazine has been linked to far-right and extremist groups, and has been accused of promoting anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and Holocaust denial.

Reactions to the Ban:

The ban has been met with mixed reactions. Critics of the magazine have welcomed the decision, arguing that it is necessary to combat the spread of extremist propaganda in Germany. However, supporters of Compact Magazine have condemned the ban as an attack on freedom of speech and the right to dissent.

The ban is likely to face legal challenges, and it remains to be seen whether it will stand up to judicial scrutiny. The case highlights the complex challenges facing democracies in balancing the right to free speech with the need to protect public order and safety.

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