Bayerischer Rundfunk has spoken out following statements by journalist Anya Kohl about attacks on journalists in the BR program “Sonntags-Stammtisch”. “From an editorial point of view, it would have been worthwhile to discuss protests and ways to combat them in the program. Unfortunately, at the end of the program there was not enough time for this,” the public broadcaster wrote on its blog about corrections and statements on the content of the program.
Last Sunday’s program focused, among other things, on the AfD conference in Erfurt and the brutal attacks on journalists during counter-demonstrations. Kohl discussed the attacks in the “Joy and Anger of the Week” opinion section.
“The AfD has failed to publicly distance itself from it or take a public position at all,” Kohl said. “My absolute pet peeve this week is that journalists in this country who report should be protected from attack. And then you also need parties that distance themselves from such things.”
BR: Condemn attacks on journalists
Kohl was then accused of creating the impression with her statements that the attacks came from people close to the AfD. The attacks took place on the sidelines of left-wing counter-demonstrations and police have launched an investigation. A team of reporters from the Apollo News portal was also attacked.
“BR and Anya Kol strongly condemn attacks on journalists – no matter from which side,” writes BR. Anya Kol did not want to comment when asked. Among other things, she works for the Hessischer Rundfunk and moderates the program “Wirtschaft vor Acht” shortly before the “Tagesschau” on the first at 8 pm.