Joel Schmitt (from left, activist), Marion Fabian (activist), Aimee van Baalen (spokesperson) and Steve Rauhut from the parish take part in a press conference of the Last Generation in the Reformation Church in Berlin-Moabit. © Christoph Soeder/dpa
A press conference of the last generation becomes a farce, because no questions are allowed. The German Journalists' Association does not want to "tolerate" the procedure.
Cologne – Wednesday was a difficult day for the Last Generation. In the morning, the police searched 15 apartments and business premises in seven federal states. At noon, a press conference followed, at which the activists actually wanted to comment on the raid – but instead caused displeasure themselves. The reason: After a 20-minute statement by spokeswoman Aimée van Baalen and activist Marion Fabian, no questions from the journalists present were initially allowed.
Then they were told that you could ask a few questions – but individually and outside the room. The members of the press protested. One said: "At a press conference, it is customary for us to be allowed to ask questions. That's how much democracy you have to endure!" For about two minutes there was great unrest in the room. Murmurs on the part of the press, puzzled faces at the last generation. Nobody really knew what would happen next. Then the explanation: You don't want to appear disrespectful, but new information is constantly arriving, which is why you have to withdraw for a moment.
Press Conference of the Last Generation: Bad Intention or Too Little Experience?
If you look at the pictures, you can get the impression that the climate activists are still very inexperienced in dealing with the press. The last generation also admits this to IPPEN the day after. MEDIA. "There is no way we would do a press conference like this again and we can very well understand that some journalists were frustrated," said a spokeswoman. At that time, no agreement had yet been reached on a uniform communication strategy.
On the spot, one could also have assumed bad faith. After all, activist Joel Schmitt said that this press conference was called "to inform you and the country." That sounded like a one-way street: We inform, you write down – no further questions, please.
The German Journalists' Association (DJV) criticizes the behavior of the last generation. "We do not tolerate this approach," said DJV press spokesman Hendrik Zörner at the request of IPPEN. MEDIA. "You have to expect the last generation to play by the rules of the media – just like everyone else. This includes the fact that journalists are of course allowed to ask questions at a press conference." Even the reference of the last generation that one should have asked questions – albeit individually – does not convince Zörner. "When you hold a press conference, it's part of the job to answer questions from all the members of the press."
Legendary press conferences: Jan Ullrich and Klaus Augenthaler
It is not the first time that a press conference has been held without questions. For example, the appearance of ex-professional cyclist Jan Ullrich in 2007, when he announced the end of his sporting career, is remembered. After a 40-minute speech, Ullrich got up – and left. Inquire? Forbidden. However, the organizer had already announced this in the invitation.
Also curious: Klaus Augenthaler's press conference before the game at Alemannia Aachen in May 2007. As coach of VFL Wolfsburg, Augenthaler was under a lot of pressure. He dealt with it in his very own way by asking himself the questions. After 44 seconds, the press conference was over – and all the journalists as well as the uninitiated press spokesman looked somewhat dumbfounded.