"Presserat Parts Ways with Telepolis: 'Obstinate and Self-Congratulatory Mob'"

In a surprising turn of events, Harald Neuber, editor-in-chief of Telepolis, has decided to terminate the cooperation with the German Press Council. This decision comes after a recent case that Neuber considers a prank or questionable decision by the Press Council.

The controversy began on December 6, 2024, when a reader complained to Telepolis about a translation error in an article about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Press Council issued a "hint" to Telepolis, indicating a potential violation of the press code, but not serious enough for a rebuke. However, Neuber expressed doubts about whether the Press Council would be willing to change its methods to improve the handling of complaints.

Neuber accused the Press Council of revealing arrogance, self-satisfaction, and stubbornness by their actions. He also criticized the Council for dealing with the case superficially and not contributing to the motivation or behavioral change of the editorial team. The editor-in-chief further accused the Press Council of being content with its role and being generously funded.

The complainant alleged that Telepolis adopts "Russian narratives" and "underestimates" authors. Neuber lodged an objection, arguing that the complainant aimed to make false claims about the editorial team. It's worth noting that Telepolis promptly corrected the error and documented it according to their editorial guidelines.

The Press Council has not been transformed into a political campaign committee, as suggested by Neuber. There is no credible information to substantiate this claim. If you want to verify this specific assertion, you might need to consult more specialized sources focused on German media or statements directly from Harald Neuber or Telepolis.

Harald Neuber has been the editor-in-chief of Telepolis since 2021. He positions Telepolis between mainstream and alternative media. The "hint" was only sent to Telepolis and not published. Following this incident, Telepolis terminated its cooperation with the German Press Council.

This decision marks a significant shift in the relationship between Telepolis and the German Press Council. The implications of this move remain to be seen, but it underscores the ongoing tension between media outlets and self-regulatory bodies in the digital age.