The Aftermath of a Scandal
The Responsibility of Julian Reichelt
On the heels of a scandal involving Julian Reichelt, editor-in-chief of the Bild newspaper, Springer-Verlag is far from back to normal. Accused of power abuse and engaging in inappropriate relationships with subordinates, Reichelt’s continued presence in his position until Monday raises questions.
A Deceptive Display of Apologies
Reichelt had previously apologized during a compliance procedure in the spring, vowing to reform his behavior. Surprisingly, he managed to deceive the board of directors and continued as if nothing had changed. Springer’s CEO, Mathias Döpfner, stood by him, showing great faith in Reichelt’s abilities. However, Döpfner’s description of Reichelt as having “excellent journalistic development and making the brand fit for the future with Bild Live” reveals his misplaced trust. Unfortunately, the current situation leaves no room for continuing on the path of cultural revival with Reichelt as part of the team.
A Flawed Concept of “Social Renewal”
The Unacceptable Behavior of Leaders
The concept of “social renewal” loses its luster when it involves an editor-in-chief pursuing young female colleagues, manipulating them, and simultaneously expecting them to further their careers. Such abuse of power is inappropriate not only in the Bild newspaper or Springer, but in any responsible position within a media company.
The Global Implications
The fact that the New York Times broke the story that led to Reichelt’s downfall highlights Springer’s understanding that a company with ambitious goals, exemplified by its recent acquisition of Politico, cannot succeed in the American market if it is tainted by a culture of violence and abuse.
Questions for the Investigative Team
It is worth considering whether the investigative team from Ippen-Verlag, set to publish their findings in the Frankfurter Rundschau, would have eventually uncovered the truth, leading to Reichelt’s removal. Springer only took action and uncovered new findings once they began their own research inquiries. More information on this can be found on Spiegel, where the journalists working for Ippen conduct their investigations, even daring to question top management. The fact that Ippen himself claimed they did not want to give the impression of attacking a competitor seems rather dubious. No journalist would want such an ally. Furthermore, the Ippen group’s recent statement indicating a potential publication adds further complications to the situation.
The Cheap Thrill of Schadenfreude
A Vicious Response
The journalist community’s response to Julian Reichelt’s fall has been largely malicious. Much of the scene has been waiting for an opportunity to attack both Reichelt and the Bild-Zeitung. Reichelt, known for his relentless attacks and excessive campaigns, including one against virologist Christian Drosten, has been a favorite target. Deutschlandfunk even labeled him as the industry’s “quarterly psycho.” While the criticism may be fitting, it is important to question the motivations behind the polished public service broadcasting’s judgment. Reichelt may have gone too far and lacked restraint, but when it came to his professional approach, he was highly sensitive.
