Does Holger Friedrich Understand How Media Works?
Berliner Zeitung's leadership feud exposes deep editorial tensions
Not really. And that's a little puzzling after more than six years in the business as publisher of the Berliner Zeitung. Let me recount a small episode in which kress—curiously enough—plays a role.
Just before the Easter weekend, we reported on our website that Anja Reich-Osang, the paper's chief reporter, had left the Berliner Zeitung after 30 years. The journalist had announced her departure herself on Facebook. We had also reached out to the editor-in-chief for comment on her exit but received no response.
In the article, we included sharp criticism from Franz Sommerfeld, a former Berliner Zeitung staffer and ex-employee of the paper's previous owner, DuMont, who took aim at the publication's political direction. He argued: "Her departure marks another turning point in the transformation of the Berliner Zeitung: it is no longer about East German sovereignty. Instead, the paper is becoming a tool to promote the AfD's political rise and foster understanding for Russian policy."
It was a slow news day, so we featured the story prominently in our newsletter and on the website. Simple enough—personnel changes that spark controversy tend to draw interest.
We neither highlighted Sommerfeld's opinion nor endorsed it. Full disclosure: I don't share his assessment. What was surprising, though, was that Holger Friedrich responded with a highly personal article, vehemently rejecting Sommerfeld's critique—yet left his readers in the dark about the fact that the criticism hadn't come from us, but from Sommerfeld himself.
Of course, this is all a minor matter. But I couldn't resist politely pointing out Friedrich's misstep—out of curiosity to see how the publisher, who often laments the media industry's professional shortcomings in private conversations, would reply.
Well, he saw no need for correction and wrote: "I would take greater issue with your decision to sensationalize what is essentially a routine personnel matter at the Berlin publishing house. I won't change a word of my text—in fact, it could be sharpened further." He also criticized a "fabricated text" about his wife and what he called "unobjective reporting by kress." Adding: "Mr. Sommerfeld's claims about the end of Ms. Reich's employment are utter nonsense and dangerous for employees of the Berlin publishing house—keyword: sanctions. Your uncritical amplification of this nonsense is therefore just as problematic. You should reflect on that internally."
We did. After 20 years in media journalism, I can say this: What sets Holger Friedrich apart isn't his pursuit of journalistic quality—many in the industry do that. It's his oversized ego and his inability to reflect on it. He wants to practice journalism but can't stomach it when it's directed at him.
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