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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Bauer Media stops publishing magazine accused of being pro-Nazi | Bauer Media stops publishing magazine accused of being pro-Nazi |
| (4 days later) | |
| Bauer Media is to cease publication of the controversial magazine, Der Landser, which has been accused of honouring pro-Nazi troops who fought in the second world war. | Bauer Media is to cease publication of the controversial magazine, Der Landser, which has been accused of honouring pro-Nazi troops who fought in the second world war. |
| The Hamburg-based company made the announcement while reiterating its denials that the magazine glorified Waffen-SS soldiers. | The Hamburg-based company made the announcement while reiterating its denials that the magazine glorified Waffen-SS soldiers. |
| In a short statement, Bauer Media explained that in July the Simon Wiesenthal centre published an open letter in which it made allegations about Der Landser editorial stance. | In a short statement, Bauer Media explained that in July the Simon Wiesenthal centre published an open letter in which it made allegations about Der Landser editorial stance. |
| It said the group took the allegations "extremely seriously" and commissioned a neutral party - "the renowned" German lawyer, Otmar Kury - to conduct a review of the content. | It said the group took the allegations "extremely seriously" and commissioned a neutral party - "the renowned" German lawyer, Otmar Kury - to conduct a review of the content. |
| Bauer said that he came to the conclusion that Der Landser "complies fully with the stringent legislation applicable in Germany and that it neither glorifies nor trivialises National Socialism." | Bauer said that he came to the conclusion that Der Landser "complies fully with the stringent legislation applicable in Germany and that it neither glorifies nor trivialises National Socialism." |
| After receiving his report, however, Bauer said its board took the occasion "to evaluate the publication in the context of the group's portfolio strategy and has decided to cease publishing the series." | After receiving his report, however, Bauer said its board took the occasion "to evaluate the publication in the context of the group's portfolio strategy and has decided to cease publishing the series." |
| It has published Der Landser for 43 years. | It has published Der Landser for 43 years. |
| But Bauer does not mention the fact that it has been subject to complaints to the British communications regulator Ofcom about its fitness to own radio stations. | But Bauer does not mention the fact that it has been subject to complaints to the British communications regulator Ofcom about its fitness to own radio stations. |
| They followed the company's acquisition of Absolute Radio (formerly Virgin Radio) to add to its UK broadcasting stable, which includes Kiss FM, 4 Music, Smash Hits radio and the Manchester-based Magic station. | They followed the company's acquisition of Absolute Radio (formerly Virgin Radio) to add to its UK broadcasting stable, which includes Kiss FM, 4 Music, Smash Hits radio and the Manchester-based Magic station. |
| Media banker and analyst Bruce Fireman contended that Ofcom should refuse permission for Bauer's takeover on the grounds that the company is not a fit and proper person, under terms of the broadcasting acts, to hold a broadcasting licence. | Media banker and analyst Bruce Fireman contended that Ofcom should refuse permission for Bauer's takeover on the grounds that the company is not a fit and proper person, under terms of the broadcasting acts, to hold a broadcasting licence. |
| His reasons were set out in an online article, "Nazi sympathisers allowed to run UK radio stations?" on the openDemocracy site. | His reasons were set out in an online article, "Nazi sympathisers allowed to run UK radio stations?" on the openDemocracy site. |
| He accused Der Landser of honouring 24 Waffen-SS members who served in units that participated in war crimes. Weeks later, Lord (Monroe) Palmer also complained to Ofcom. | He accused Der Landser of honouring 24 Waffen-SS members who served in units that participated in war crimes. Weeks later, Lord (Monroe) Palmer also complained to Ofcom. |
| On hearing the news of Bauer's decision to cease publication, Fireman said that "the purport of my complaint to Ofcom is confirmed" and repeated his view that Ofcom should reconsider Bauer's broadcasting licences in Britain. He said: | On hearing the news of Bauer's decision to cease publication, Fireman said that "the purport of my complaint to Ofcom is confirmed" and repeated his view that Ofcom should reconsider Bauer's broadcasting licences in Britain. He said: |
| "Bauer took every possible step to make it lawful to publish Der Landser in Germany, by ensuring that the magazine never mentioned the crimes of those it honoured. Such a company is not fit and proper to hold a United Kingdom radio licence. | "Bauer took every possible step to make it lawful to publish Der Landser in Germany, by ensuring that the magazine never mentioned the crimes of those it honoured. Such a company is not fit and proper to hold a United Kingdom radio licence. |
| These licences permit the use of public assets, radio frequencies, and Ofcom has a duty to ensure that those licensed to use them have a corporate culture which will ensure their proper use. | These licences permit the use of public assets, radio frequencies, and Ofcom has a duty to ensure that those licensed to use them have a corporate culture which will ensure their proper use. |
| Bauer studiously complied with the letter of German law, as it now confirms, while defiantly ignoring its spirit and continued to profit from publishing a magazine which glorified the indefensible. | Bauer studiously complied with the letter of German law, as it now confirms, while defiantly ignoring its spirit and continued to profit from publishing a magazine which glorified the indefensible. |
| "Faced with the loss of its UK radio licences, and not being allowed to acquire others, it has hypocritically closed Der Landser despite still insisting that its publication of the title was proper." | "Faced with the loss of its UK radio licences, and not being allowed to acquire others, it has hypocritically closed Der Landser despite still insisting that its publication of the title was proper." |
| Bauer also publishes other military magazines accused of legitimising Nazism and glorifying Adolf Hitler, such as Geschichte & Wissen (History & Knowledge) and Militär & Geschichte (Military & History). | Bauer also publishes other military magazines accused of legitimising Nazism and glorifying Adolf Hitler, such as Geschichte & Wissen (History & Knowledge) and Militär & Geschichte (Military & History). |
| Along with Der Landser, they were cited in a letter sent in February to the German government by Abraham Foxman, director of the US Anti-Defamation League. | Along with Der Landser, they were cited in a letter sent in February to the German government by Abraham Foxman, director of the US Anti-Defamation League. |
| In asking why the publishers were not prosecuted for the propagation of Nazism, Foxman wrote: "The Bauer Media Group's publications may be within the letter of German law, but they may also be seen as legitimising the Nazi regime." | In asking why the publishers were not prosecuted for the propagation of Nazism, Foxman wrote: "The Bauer Media Group's publications may be within the letter of German law, but they may also be seen as legitimising the Nazi regime." |
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