Germany in the News: Analyses of Current Events in the German Media

1. Germany in the News: Analyses of Current Events in the German Media Team One: Justin Beveridge, Christina Kiser, Susannah Kopp, and Glenn Pangelinan SIS 496/628 Summer 2010

2. Issue Analysis: The Gulf of Mexico Oil Crisis Justin Beveridge

3. Media Sources Examined • Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung • Die Zeit • Focus • Der Spiegel

4. Daily newspaper, conservative in orientation, with approx. readership of 366,000 • Newspaper of German stock exchanges • Has dedicated page to the oil crisis on their website • Articles regarding oil crisis are critical of BP and supportive of Obama • Oil crisis articles focus on economic aspect of the crisis

5. Nationwide weekly newspaper, centrist/left oriented, with approx. weekly sales of 480,000 • One of its publishers is former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt • Has dedicated page to oil crisis on website • Articles on oil crisis are critical of BP • Oil crisis articles tend to focus on environmental aspect of the crisis

6. Weekly German news magazine, conservative in orientation, with approx. circulation of 730,000 • Was established to compete with der Spiegel • Does not have a dedicated page to the oil crisis • Oil crisis articles are critical of BP and Obama • Articles on oil crisis tend to focus on economic aspect of the crisis

7. Weekly German news magazine, liberal in orientation, with approx. circulation of 1.05 million • One of Europe's largest news magazines • Has dedicated page on oil crisis on their website • Articles on crisis critical of BP • Has articles focusing on nearly all aspects of the crisis (causes, timeline, economic, environmental)

8. Issue Analysis: The Resignation of German President Horst Köhler Christina Kiser

9. Germany’s Presidency and Horst Köhler: A Few Facts • Largely ceremonial office--the German chancellor holds real political power • Köhler, a member of the conservative Christian Democrats, was first elected in 2004 and was reelected last year • Former head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) • First German president to have a non-political background--Köhler is an economist and banker by training http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,697785,00.html

10. Köhler’s Shocking Resignation • Köhler resigned on May 31st after criticism over his May 22nd comments on Germany’s military presence in Afghanistan. To many, his comments hinted that the German NATO mission there was motivated partially by commercial interests: “…my estimation is that, on the whole, we are on the way to understanding, even broadly in society, that a country of our size, with this orientation toward foreign trade and therefore also dependence on foreign trade, has to be aware that when in doubt in case of an emergency, military deployment is also necessary to protect our interests. For example, free trade routes, for example to prevent instability in a whole region, which certainly have an negative impact on our opportunities via trade, jobs and income. All of that ought to be discussed and I believe that we are not doing too badly.” • For more information, please view the following article on The Local: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100531-27547.html

11. The Reaction of Deutsche Welle World TV • Please view the following DWW stories on Köhler’s resignation and aftermath: http://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?blend=3&ob=4#p/u/45/fBiV_ivh90Y http://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish#p/u/102/wcdc4OyMImE • For discussion: Do you think official German reaction to Köhler’s comments was appropriate or too harsh (or not harsh enough)? Do you think an American politician who made similar comments would face the same criticism?

12. The Reaction of Deutsche Welle World TV • DWW’s story suggests that Köhler’s background--both his upbringing and his profession--played a role in his resignation. This conveys the still-significant impact of recent German history on the country’s political structure. • The story has a conflict frame, helped by the dramatic music at key points throughout and the portrayal of Köhler as “odd man out” among German politicians. • It presents a multi-view perspective, offering commentary from government officials, political experts, and the German public. • It seems to side with Köhler, calling his departure “tragic” and hinting that German politics is closed-minded and not welcoming to political “outsiders.”

13. Implications of Köhler’s Resignation • Köhler’s resignation invites an examination of free speech norms in Germany--especially for politicians--and how those norms impact public opinion of the government. • As one woman stated in the story, “I think it’s a pity a politician who speaks his mind is then forced to resign, just because he says what he thinks, and in fact what everyone thinks.” • For discussion: How could this event affect German public opinion of the government, and could it force examination of the fairness or unfairness of speech criticism in the country?

14. Issue Analysis: German Media Coverage of Gaza Flotilla Crisis Susannah Kopp

15. Gaza Flotilla Crisis • May 31, 2010: Turkish-flagged M/V Mavi Marmara boarded by Israeli commandos • M/V Mavi Marmara part of flotilla carrying aid to Gaza • Over 550 activists onboard • Swift seizure of boat turns violent • Activists fight back, commandos disarmed • Nine Turkish activists killed

16. German-Israeli Relationship • Germany is Israel’s second-largest trading partner after U.S. • Within EU, Germany lobbies against one-sided criticism of Israeli behavior towards the Palestinians

17. German-Turkish Relationship • Turks form the largest ethnic minority • Four million people of Turkish descent living throughout the country • Germans against granting citizenship to growing Turkish population • Germany hesitant to support Turkey’s accession to EU

18. Media Outlets Examined • Spiegel Online • Most popular online source for news in Germany • The Local: Germany’s News in English • English-language online news portal localized for Germany • Coverage purely domestic • Deutsche Welle-World • Germany’s international broadcaster • Online news site available in eight languages

19. Spiegel Online - “An Exaggerated Response: Israel Falls Into the Trap” • Reflects sensitive balance Germany has tried to maintain as leader in EU, loyal ally to Israel, and sympathetic partner of Turkey • Criticizes Israel’s actions, yet states Israeli commandos were provoked • Mentions reaction of Turkey’s government, but avoided any direct mention of local Turkish and Muslim reaction to the raid • Likely as a result of its traditional pro-Israeli posture

20. The Local - “Thousands Demonstrate Against Israeli Sea Raid” • Only outlet to cover demonstrations taking place in Germany • However, not much information provided on actual demonstrators • Mentions involvement of eleven Germans, to include Members of Parliament • However, does not include German reaction or response to their involvement in flotilla

21. DW-World - “Turkey and U.S. Face Tough Decisions on Relations after Israeli Flotilla Raid” • Focuses on recent strains of Turkish-American relations as a result of Gaza flotilla crisis • German interpretation of relationship not included • Mentions increased trust and strengthening of relations between Turkey and EU • However, no mention of impact of political shifts between Turkey/U.S. or Turkey/EU on German

22. Issue Analysis: Germany’s Mission in Afghanistan Glenn Pangelinan

23. Support for Afghan War Deteriorating • Speigel • German media show overall public support of Afghan War declining • Security Advisors sway Parliament into drafting an exit strategy • Opposition against troop increase is strong • Former Defense Minister, Peter Struck, says German troops not where they need to be

24. NATO Controversy • Bild • Tabloid questions airstrike and civilian casualty cover-up • Chancellor Merkel calls for complete investigation • Defense Minister and Prime Minister resign • Top German Military Official resigns from Afghan NATO post • Bild coverage of the airstrike controversy causes public outrage • Parliament forced to a meeting • New deadlines and objectives set for Afghan mission • Parliament votes in favor of troop extension • Troop increases denied

25. NATO Controversy • Bottom Line: Germany remains committed to the Afghanistan mission but reluctant to increase its number of troops. As one of Europes leading countries, a weak alliance with NATO means a victory for Al Qaeda. Media coverage of the airstrike controversy seen as a milestone for Al Qaeda’s psychological warfare objectives. German leadership aware of the impacts an early withdrawal will bring on the alliance with NATO.

26. Bibliography • “Controversy over Afghanistan remarks: President Köhler resigns.” Spiegel Online International, 31 May 2010. Accessed 16 June 2010. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,697785,00.html • “German president resigns over criticism of comments about military.” CNN.com, 31 May 2010. Accessed 16 June 2010. http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/05/31/germany.president.resigns/index.html • “Köhler defends surprise resignation.” The Local: Germany’s News in English, 16 June 2010. Accessed 16 June 2010. http://www.thelocal.de/politics/20100616-27877.html • “President Köhler resigns.” The Local: Germany’s News in English, 31 May 2010. Accessed 16 June 2010. http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100531-27547.html • “The Resignation: President Köhler goes.” Deutsche Welle TV, 6 June 2010. Accessed 12 June 2010. http://www.youtube.com/user/deutschewelleenglish?blend=3&ob=4#p/u/45/fBiV_ivh90Y

27. Bibliography • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/middle_east/10305902.stm • http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65044N20100601 • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Germany.svg • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Israel.svg • MacDonald, 2008 • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flag_of_Turkey.svg • Schulte-Peevers, Haywood, Johnstone, Gray and Robinson, 2007 • Hochmuth, 2006 • http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,697834,00.html • http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100605-27657.html • http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5641395,00.html

28. Issue Analysis: Germany’s Mission in Afghanistan Glenn Pangelinan

29. Support for Afghan War Deteriorating • Speigel • German media show overall public support of Afghan War declining • Security Advisors sway Parliament into drafting an exit strategy • Opposition against troop increase is strong • Former Defense Minister, Peter Struck, says German troops not where they need to be

30. NATO Controversy • Bild • Tabloid questions airstrike and civilian casualty cover-up • Chancellor Merkel calls for complete investigation • Defense Minister and Prime Minister resign • Top German Military Official resigns from Afghan NATO post • Bild coverage of the airstrike controversy causes public outrage • Parliament forced to a meeting • New deadlines and objectives set for Afghan mission • Parliament votes in favor of troop extension • Troop increases denied

31. NATO Controversy • Bottom Line: Germany remains committed to the Afghanistan mission but reluctant to increase its number of troops. As one of Europes leading countries, a weak alliance with NATO means a victory for Al Qaeda. Media coverage of the airstrike controversy seen as a milestone for Al Qaeda’s psychological warfare objectives. German leadership aware of the impacts an early withdrawal will bring on the alliance with NATO.

32. Bibliography • “NATO Air Strike in Afghanistan Controversy.” Bild.com, 5 September 2009. Accessed 16 June 2010. http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/world-news/2009/09/07/afghanistan-nato-air-strike/german-army-officials-fury-at-us-criticism.html • “President Köhler resigns.” The Local: Germany’s News in English, 31 May 2010. Accessed 16 June 2010. http://www.thelocal.de/national/20100531-27547.html • “German President Horst Kohler Resigns.” Spiegel Online International, 31 May 2010. Accessed 12 June 2010. http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,697785,00.html • “Foreign ministry knew of civilian deaths in Afghan airstrike, reports say.” DW-World DE, 21 Decemer 2009. Accessed 14 June 2010. http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5043635,00.html