The Correctiv’s story on “A Secret Plan Against Germany’ was shocking. As many of the articles following this story clarify, it demonstrated ideologies comparable to Nazi Germany. What was discussed about ‘re-migration’ and a masterplan for forced deportations would completely dismantle the protective firewall or Brandmauer put in place to stop Germany from ever returning to that oppressive, tyrannical place. If one were to take the story at face value, then the AfD would surely be banned. Although the story had a large impact on public opinion and raised awareness in Germany, it is surprising that it did not result in the removal of the AfD’s eligibility. The meeting, how it takes place in a hotel, and how people were invited, is all incredibly suspicious. I thought it was interesting how Correctiv laid the story out in Acts like a play, which I felt slightly diminished the story’s reliability.
However, the Reuter’s article that supported the story and explained the complicated process the reporters underwent, alleviated my skepticism. It was reassuring to learn what the reporters thought about what they had found, “We knew the material was explosive,” one woman quotes. A couple of questions I had about the process of investigation are as follows: Why would the AfD send Correctiv an invitation? And if they didn’t, then who did? I’ve always been taught to declare when something is on the record, and this entire investigation happened undercover, off the record, so I wonder, what are the legal and ethical implications of this type of journalism? Does it not matter how the information is collected when the stakes are this high, when Germany is under threat? The Brussels Signal appears to be a right-wing outlet with the way it spoke about Correctiv having fabricated the story. It sounds a little bit like Trump’s response to call demonising truths about himself “fake news” a lot of the time. It is disappointing that Correctiv’s impactful revelation, a story that took months to report and prepare, can be dismantled by one Brussels Signal article claiming it was completely fabricated. I can see how it might be difficult for a German citizen, or anyone for that matter, to know what to believe when there are so many contrasting articles. I suppose one would choose to believe whatever their personal values align with.
The main points demonstrated by these articles regardless of reliability, is how catastrophic the AfD would be for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees if they came into power. I’m surprised that there aren’t more significant efforts to stop them considering the similarities between the AfD and Nazi Germany. On a slightly more recent note, I’ve just seen in the news that Friedrich Merz landed in Kyiv upon giving military support and funding to Ukraine – and “Urging Putin To End War” as per Al Jazeera. I wonder if this will result in any repercussions for Germany, by Russia? This stance taken by Merz feels very different to the Courthouse News Service article about him wanting to insert tougher immigration policies and failing. I wonder what changed?
