Berlin activists spray-paint Axel Springer HQ in media bias protest
Activists from the New Generation group sprayed blue paint on the façade of Axel Springer's headquarters in Berlin-Kreuzberg on Thursday. In an Instagram post, the group—which emerged from the Last Generation movement—stated that the color blue could symbolize "both the CDU and the AfD," accusing both parties of fueling the rise of fascism in Germany. Berlin police reported that officers made four provisional arrests during the action.
The protest branded the Axel Springer media empire as part of the "#MerzMafia," according to the activists. They alleged that the company manipulates public opinion and political decisions through lobbying, financial influence, and its vast media reach—all to serve its own interests. Axel Springer's portfolio includes major outlets such as Bild, Die Welt, Business Insider, and Politico.
The New Generation also accused Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner of repeatedly blurring the line between politics and journalism. In one instance, they claimed, Döpfner instructed then-Bild editor-in-chief Julian Reichelt in 2021 to boost media support for the FDP ahead of the federal election.
The group had announced a week of protests, with plans for a "revolutionary attempt" in Berlin's government district on Friday morning—following a communal breakfast.
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