Court lifts ban on far-right German publication Compact magazine
A German court has lifted a ban imposed by the government on a far-right magazine, ruling the case against it does not clear the high bar required to outlaw its publisher.
Germany 's previous government banned Compact magazine and the company that publishes it, Compact-Magazin GmbH, in July.
Then-interior minister Nancy Faeser described Compact as 'a central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene', and said it 'agitates in an unspeakable way against Jews, against people with a history of migration and against our parliamentary democracy'.
Compact appealed to the Federal Administrative Court, which suspended the ban in August 2024 pending a full consideration of the case.
Following a hearing earlier in June, the court lifted the ban altogether on Tuesday.
The court said Germany's constitution guaranteed freedom of the press and opinion 'even for the enemies of freedom' and that, on grounds of proportionality, a ban could only be justified if the publisher's anti-constitutional activities were proven to be 'formative' for the group.
It said a review of the evidence showed that the material in question did not reach that threshold.
Compact is run by far-right figure Jurgen Elsasser and produces the monthly magazine of the same name, which has a circulation of about 40,000, as well as an online video channel, Compact TV.
It also runs an online shop selling books, CDs, DVDs and other merchandise.
Compact has been published since 2010.
In its annual report for 2023, Germany's domestic intelligence agency said that it 'regularly disseminates ... anti-Semitic, anti-minority, historically revisionist and conspiracy theory content'.
The strength of the far right has caused increasing concern in Germany in recent years.
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Court lifts ban on far-right German publication Compact magazine
A German court has lifted a ban imposed by the government on a far-right magazine, ruling the case against it does not clear the high bar required to outlaw its publisher. Germany 's previous government banned Compact magazine and the company that publishes it, Compact-Magazin GmbH, in July. Then-interior minister Nancy Faeser described Compact as 'a central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene', and said it 'agitates in an unspeakable way against Jews, against people with a history of migration and against our parliamentary democracy'. Compact appealed to the Federal Administrative Court, which suspended the ban in August 2024 pending a full consideration of the case. Following a hearing earlier in June, the court lifted the ban altogether on Tuesday. The court said Germany's constitution guaranteed freedom of the press and opinion 'even for the enemies of freedom' and that, on grounds of proportionality, a ban could only be justified if the publisher's anti-constitutional activities were proven to be 'formative' for the group. It said a review of the evidence showed that the material in question did not reach that threshold. Compact is run by far-right figure Jurgen Elsasser and produces the monthly magazine of the same name, which has a circulation of about 40,000, as well as an online video channel, Compact TV. It also runs an online shop selling books, CDs, DVDs and other merchandise. Compact has been published since 2010. In its annual report for 2023, Germany's domestic intelligence agency said that it 'regularly disseminates ... anti-Semitic, anti-minority, historically revisionist and conspiracy theory content'. The strength of the far right has caused increasing concern in Germany in recent years.
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In February, the ABC confirmed at a parliamentary hearing that it had spent $1.1 million on legal fees defending the case, although the judge is yet to make a decision about costs. A potential pecuniary penalty will also be determined at a later hearing. Lattouf argued at a hearing in February that then-ABC chair Ita Buttrose, former content chief Chris Oliver-Taylor and former managing director David Anderson were responsible for her termination. But Justice Rangiah found the decision was solely Mr Oliver-Taylor's as he tried to mitigate further complaints about the broadcaster employing someone with Lattouf's political opinions. "Mr Oliver-Taylor sought to appease members of the public who would attribute to Ms Lattouf the holding of anti-Israeli and anti-Semitic opinions by taking her off air," he said. Mr Anderson made a "material contribution" to the decision, however, by giving his views to Mr Oliver-Taylor that the fill-in host held anti-Semitic opinions. Justice Rangiah accepted Mr Oliver-Taylor was put in a difficult position by Lattouf's choice to share the controversial post. "Ms Lattouf's making of the HRW Post was ill-advised and inconsiderate of her employer," he said. "The ABC would have to brace itself for the inevitable criticism - whether fair or unfair - for permitting one of its presenters to make a controversial post and then allowing her to remain on air." The ABC's claims the journalist was fired for breaching a direction not to post anything about Israel and Gaza during her five days on air were also rejected. "I find Ms Lattouf was merely provided with advice that it would be best not to post anything controversial about the war," he said. The judge rejected claims by Lattouf - who is of Lebanese heritage - that she was terminated due to her race or national extraction.
