Who’s the real fascist? Germany’s media crackdown exposes a double standard

What is currently happening in Germany is deeply ironic, given the left-leaning German coalition government’s penchant for criticising India at every turn. It does so—supported by its left-leaning media, such as Der Spiegel and DW—using slanted, prejudiced, badly researched, false, and spurious information.

It calls India out on its alleged communalism, human rights violations, the “occupation of Kashmir,” repression of Khalistanis, Hindu majoritarianism, and persecution of minorities, including Christians and Muslims. They could not find a way to criticise India’s economic handling because it will very soon overtake Germany, growing as it is at a good rate of 7 per cent per annum, compared to Germany’s 0.2 per cent.

One would be forgiven for assuming Germany to be a paragon of virtue. Yet, it clearly cannot stomach criticism directed its way, cracking down with a fervour reminiscent of the Nazi regime – the very regime it accuses the far-right of admiring.

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Nevertheless, the German left, government and media alike, seem to believe their own fabrications, deaf to protests and seemingly unwilling to change their ways. Left-run Germany also does not care for India’s neutral stance on the Ukraine War, and indeed its close bilateral relationship with Russia. So much so that Germany has been reluctant to share high technology for submarines with India. This has changed now because of its economic desperation.

Germany has now made a U-turn, eager to collaborate with India on submarines despite its strong ties with China, its largest trading partner. Which, of course, probably has something to do with the supercilious anti-India stance in the first place. On the other hand, highly admired German luxury cars are sold widely in India and are much in demand.

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While Olaf Scholz is Chancellor now and visited India recently during the G20 Summit in New Delhi, the four earlier terms of arch-leftist Angela Merkel were anti-Indian too. At the same time, Germany’s trade with China boomed, albeit in China’s favour. Merkel also let in millions of refugees from war-torn Syria, partially to address a labour shortage in menial jobs. So, in a very real sense, it is the excesses of the long-serving leftist governments that have contributed to the rise of the Right today.

Inevitably, the immigrants are now asserting themselves. Many have moved up the ladder from menial jobs. Those shortly off the boat are more rough and ready. They assert their Islamic identity quite vigorously, even violently, to the dismay of the local White population.

And yet, Germany’s right wing wants the Americans out—and not just the immigrants— advocating instead for closer ties with Russia. Perhaps it is they, now being persecuted by their own government, who understand the shape of the future rather better. Germany has been suffering, more than others, with high gas prices, after being forced by an outdated NATO to cut off the Russian gas, for example.

The latest move by this left-liberal German government is to crack down on the anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, and anti-minority movements, predominantly among a growing number of White Germans.

Just two days ago, the government took drastic action, causing a sensation in international media. It shut down a right-wing magazine, labelling it anti-Semitic, and conducted fascist-style raids to close down the print, online, and film organisation, banning its operations entirely. It was blatant state-sponsored censorship. Earlier, the German government, comprising three left-leaning parties, also froze the bank accounts of people who had donated money to any group the government labelled as ‘far right’.

The reasons for the crackdown likely run deeper. The German Federal Government’s Interior Ministry is rattled by growing support for the right-wing political party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD). That is why it raided and shut down the most influential right-wing Compact magazine, along with its associated film production company, Conspect Film. This action, which courts may deem illegal, also flies in the face of Germany’s ‘counterspeech doctrine’ that was meant to allow contrary viewpoints in the interests of democracy.

Authorities conducted raids on the offices and homes of Compact functionaries, confiscating assets and seeking evidence. The magazine boasted a print circulation of 40,000 copies and a significantly larger online following of approximately 350,000. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser defended the closure, labelling Compact a “mouthpiece of the far-right extremist scene”.

The magazine was cited as a ‘nexus’ for various right-wing extremist and xenophobic groups, including the very popular AfD, along with the Pegida and Identitarian movements. The AfD’s recent second-place finish in European parliamentary elections, including taking first place in most east German states, demonstrates its growing influence and makes it a significant force within the political landscape.

While the German government cited threats to the constitution as justification for closing down and banning Compact and Conspect, Article 5 of that very constitution guarantees freedom of speech, expression, and opinion to its citizens.

The absurdity of rankings is illustrated by the 2008 Freedom in the World report from the US-funded Freedom House, which awarded Germany a score of “1”—the best possible—for both political rights and civil liberties. The German press freedom index number for 2024 was 83.84, ranking it 10th globally.

The decision to ban and shut down Compact is believed to be linked to the upcoming German federal elections, as the Left wing aims to weaken AfD. Editor-in-chief Jurgen Elsasser of the now-shuttered monthly magazine often provoked the government with slogans like ‘Americans go home’ and ‘Friendship with Russia’ at far-right events.

This shutdown and ban is unlikely to quell the simmering discontent among the general public, who are increasingly frustrated with the leftist government’s handling of key issues and its lacklustre performance. It may seem decisive now but it could come back to haunt them.

The writer is a Delhi-based political commentator. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.