German podcaster's far-right interview sparks fierce backlash and boycott calls
A heated debate has erupted over podcaster Benjamin Berndt’s decision to interview Björn Höcke, the far-right AfD leader in Thuringia. The four-hour conversation on ungeskriptet (Unscripted) drew sharp criticism from politicians and media outlets, with calls for advertisers to boycott the show. Saskia Esken, a Bundestag lawmaker and former co-leader of the SPD, led the backlash. She argued that Höcke should not receive a platform to share 'unchallenged fantasies' about the German people, especially when funded by corporate advertising. Esken went further, suggesting that companies should withdraw ads from ungeskriptet entirely. 'Let me put it this way—blacklisting works,' she stated.
Berndt defended his approach in an interview with *Junge Freiheit*. He claimed that Höcke has been 'demonised by the media like no one else' for over a decade, leaving a gap his podcast could fill. The host also argued that the criticism itself had boosted his show through 'reverse marketing,' driving up views and engagement. *Der Spiegel* joined the criticism, accusing *ungeskriptet* of having a 'right-wing bias' and failing to challenge Höcke with tough enough questions. Berndt countered by pointing to his history of hosting guests from across the political spectrum, including left-wing figures like Jan van Aken and Gregor Gysi, as well as right-wing politicians such as Maximilian Krah. Esken remained firm, insisting that giving Höcke four hours of airtime risked normalising his views. She questioned whether advertisers should indirectly support such content through their budgets.
The dispute highlights tensions over media responsibility when engaging with far-right figures. Berndt’s podcast continues to attract attention, but the controversy may push advertisers to reconsider their support. Esken’s call for a boycott now puts pressure on companies to respond.
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