Leipzig: Federal Supreme Court checks the controversial ban on Compact magazine

Leipzig: Federal Supreme Court checks the controversial ban on Compact magazine

Today, the Federal Administrative Court is the focus in Leipzig, as it negotiates the controversial ban on the right -wing extremist magazine "Compact". This ban was pronounced in July 2024 by the then Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD), who described the magazine as the "central mouthpiece of the right -wing extremist scene". The decision led to the immediate setting of the entire print and online offer. After the ban, searches led to confiscations by data carriers and specimens of the publication, while the website of the magazine were blocked, reported Welt .

The Federal Administrative Court started examining the justification of the ban today. In the course of the trial, the 6th Senate of the court expressed doubts about the proportionality of the ban. The judges hear both the arguments of the federal government and that of the "Compact" team, which had sued the ban and asked for the restoration of the publication rights. The hearing is scheduled for three days, with two further trial days already being planned for June 11th and 12th.

arguments and concerns

The Federal Ministry of the Interior argues that the publications of “Compact” potentially violate the constitutional order and, for incitement, stemate actions against these order. Particular is pointed out that the reporting on the agitation against Jews and against people with migration history is aimed at. The claims are considered comprehensive and underpinned with evidence of the security authorities. On the other hand, "Compact" emphasizes that the club law is not applicable to press law products, which is a central line of argument in your complaint, so Tagesschau .

in public and among experts, such as the German Journalist Association (DJV), the decision of the court is considered pioneering for freedom of expression and press. The DJV criticized the prohibition as a political rapid shot and called for a comprehensive overall view. Bundestag Vice President Wolfgang Kubicki (FDP) also expressed criticism of Faeser's approach and called for milder means to deal with the phenomenon.

future decisions

It remains unclear whether the court will make a judgment or set a further date at the end of the hearing. The final decision is expected in the main proceedings and the examination of the legality of the ban could still take time. Political actors and media are currently observing how this legal discussion will develop.

The current Federal Minister of the Interior Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) defended the arguments of the ministry and continued to concern concerns about the activities of "Compact". The court considers the prohibition order formally lawful, but cannot finally assess whether the violations found are so serious that the ban can be considered proportionate, according to the last information from Welt .