In an interview, Hans-Georg Maaßen spoke out in favor of an investigation into the “character traits” of Tagesschau journalists and is criticized for this.
Berlin - The CDU politician and former head of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Hans-Georg Maaßen, has come under fire after he spoke out in an interview with
TV Berlin in
favor of the "character traits" of editors and presenters of Norddeutscher Rundfunk to have a committee of inquiry of the federal states examined.
Politicians from other parties see the proposals of the 58-year-old, who will run as a direct candidate in the federal election in September in the constituency of southern Thuringia, an attack on freedom of the press and editorial independence.
Maaßen accuses Tagesschau of connections to the left-wing extremist scene and calls for a committee of inquiry
"I think it is extremely reprehensible and a shame that the supervisory authorities do not really correct this public service broadcaster in this regard," said Maaßen in the video interview.
"There are enough countries that could initiate an NDR committee of inquiry," suggests the CDU politician.
The NDR is responsible for the editing and production of the Tagesschau.
"If you can see that there are also connections between the daily news or people who work for public broadcasting and the left and left-wing extremist scene, then that would really be worth investigating," Maaßen explains his suggestion.
However, the 58-year-old did not provide more detailed information about which people would be related to which left-wing extremist groups.
Moderate criticism: CDU politician wants journalists to check “character traits”
According to Maassen, it would be worth investigating "that the biographies of some editors should be put to the test to see whether these people have the character trait to accompany the daily news through editorial offices." the journalists of the NDR wishes.
Hans-Georg Maaßen calls for a @ ndr investigative committee at TV Berlin to check the character suitability of @ tagesschau editors.
A clear attack on freedom of the press and editorial independence. @ Ver_jorg @DJVde pic.twitter.com/4CQpHiO333
- Silvio Duwe (@sduwe) July 3, 2021
For his statements, the CDU politician received sharp criticism from the other parties on Saturday evening.
"Maaßen does not belong in the Bundestag, but before a committee of inquiry into his time in the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution," demands the ex-party leader of the Left, Bernd Riexinger.
“Our Basic Law protects the freedom of the press.
Maassen openly attacks them.
A clear demarcation is needed here, ”says Greens managing director Michael Kellner on Twitter to the Union.
Maaßen calls for attitude tests for NDR journalists - CDU is silent on Saturday evening
SPD general secretary Lars Klingbeil also calls for a reaction from Maassen's party and commented on the interview excerpt with the accusing words "And Armin Laschet is silent." An official statement by the CDU on Maassen's statements is still pending on Saturday evening. Neither party leader Armin Laschet nor General Secretary Paul Ziemiak have commented on the interview so far.
(fd)
