The editor-in-chief of Bild, the largest newspaper in Europe and an influential force in German politics and society, has taken leave while a law firm investigates allegations against him, the owner of the publication said.
Julian Reichelt, the editor, denies allegations of misconduct, Bild publisher Axel Springer said in a statement. Springer said he had no “clear evidence” of misconduct, but hired law firm Freshfields to investigate the allegations. It did not specify what it was.
The allegations were first reported by Spiegel magazine, which quoted half a dozen female employees who worked for Bild and complained about coercion by Mr. Reichelt. Spiegel did not name the female employees. In the magazine it is said that the women mr. Reichelt accused him of abusing his position of authority and creating a hostile work environment, but did not provide further details.
“To ensure that the investigation process can be seen undisturbed until the end, and that the editorial staff can work without further burdens,” Springer said. clarified. ”
Alexandra Würzbach, editor of Bild’s Sunday issue, will contact Mr. Taking over Reichelt’s duties, Springer said.
The #MeToo movement has hit Europe with far less violence than the United States, and cases of powerful men being devastated by accusations of misconduct against women have been relatively rare.
Germany and most European countries protect the identities of defendants in lawsuits, making it more difficult for the media to report on harassment.
Courts were often unsympathetic. In 2019, a French court ordered the leader of the country’s equivalent of the #MeToo movement to pay damages to a former television manager who accused her of making her blissful and humiliating progress.
With a print run of 1.2 million, Bild is the largest newspaper in Europe, but like most publications, print readers have declined sharply. According to the newspaper’s website, daily print sales averaged 2.8 million in 2011, down from 4 million in 1965.
With its colorful graphics and emphasis on scandal, celebrities and sports, Bild – which means ‘picture’ – is the populist daily of Germany. The readership is skewed male. Until 2012, Bild showed a photo of a topless woman on the cover every day and continued to publish images of half-naked “Bild Girls” online.
Unlike Britain’s right – wing pony newspapers, Bild is relatively impartial, yet opinionated, with an aggressive pony newspaper, although it is printed on a broad sheet format. Because of Bild’s reach, it is often the publication that uses leading political figures to communicate with voters and offer exclusive interviews or juicy leaks.
Mr. Reichelt, 40, a former war correspondent who became editor-in-chief of Bild in 2017, also regularly wrote opinion pieces. He has recently struggled against what he says was the mismanagement of the German government of the pandemic crisis. He complained earlier this month that authorities fined runners for not wearing masks, while federal and state governments thwarted the explosion of vaccines.
Axel Springer, the parent company of Bild, is one of Europe’s most prominent media companies. Springer also owns Welt, a German daily newspaper; the online news site Business Insider; in Politico Europa. KKR, the private equity firm, owns 36 percent of Springer shares and has three seats on the nine-person board. Friede Springer, widow of founder Axel Springer, remains a major shareholder and a member of the board.
Springer said in a statement on Saturday that the investigation in which Mr. Reichelt is involved, will include an evaluation of the credibility and integrity of all parties involved. ‘
The publisher adds: “Rumors based on rumors are unacceptable to the Axel Springer business culture.”