Germany logs rising rate of crimes against journalists

"Figures released by the Interior Ministry showed that a total of 818 crimes targeting "media" were registered with the BKA, Germany's federal investigative police force, between April 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025. That averages out at roughly 41 cases per month over a 20-month period, and compares to 290 crimes, for an average of roughly 24 per month, in the calendar year 2023. The increase equates to roughly 71%."

"Authorities attributed roughly 30% of the cases, 244, to the right wing of the political spectrum and 78 cases, just under 10%, to the left. A "foreign ideology" was deemed the motivating political factor in 153 cases, and a "religious ideology" was singled out for 31 cases. The plurality of the politically motivated cases, 312, were not assigned to any of these four pigeon holes by investigators. More than 10% of the crimes, 89 in total, were violent in nature."

"This included 73 cases of assault or causing injury, 13 so-called "resistance crimes" (for instance when violently resisting arrest or detention), two cases of arson and one robbery. A total of 211 took place in the context of public demonstrations, including the vast majority, 73, of the violent crimes, the Interior Ministry figures said. Other common offenses included 101 cases of coercion or threats, 53 cases of incitement to racial violence, 47 propaganda offenses as well as 43 cases of damage of property."

Between April 1, 2024 and November 30, 2025, German authorities registered 818 politically motivated crimes targeting media with the BKA, averaging roughly 41 cases per month over 20 months. Calendar year 2023 recorded 290 such crimes, about 24 per month, making the increase roughly 71%. Authorities attributed 244 cases (about 30%) to the right wing, 78 cases (just under 10%) to the left, 153 to a foreign ideology and 31 to a religious ideology. Investigators left 312 cases unassigned among those categories. Violent incidents totaled 89, including assaults, resistance crimes, arson and one robbery; 211 incidents occurred in the context of demonstrations. Other common offenses included coercion or threats, incitement to racial violence, propaganda and property damage.

Read at www.dw.com