The editor-in-chief of Bild, Europe’s largest newspaper and an influential force in German politics and society, took a leave while a law firm conducts an investigation into the allegations made against him, the publication’s owner said.
Julian Reichelt, the editor, denies allegations of misconduct, Axel Springer, editor of Bild, said in a statement. Springer said he had no “clear evidence” of misconduct, but hired the Freshfields law firm to investigate the charges. He did not specify what they were.
The charges were first reported by Spiegel magazine, which cited half a dozen employees who worked for Bild and complained of coercion by Reichelt. Spiegel did not reveal the names of the employees. The magazine said the women accused Reichelt 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 completed without disruption and that the editorial team can work without further charges,” said Springer, Mr. Reichelt “asked the Axel Springer board to release him from his duties until the charges were brought against him. have been clarified. “
Alexandra Würzbach, editor of Sunday’s edition of Bild, will take over from Reichelt, Springer said.
The #MeToo movement hit Europe much less strongly than in the United States, and cases of powerful men overthrown on charges of misconduct against women have been relatively rare.
Germany and most European countries protect the identities of people accused in court cases, making it more difficult for the media to report harassment cases.
Courts are usually unsympathetic. In 2019, a French court ordered the leader of the country’s equivalent to the #MeToo movement to indemnify a former television executive whom she accused of making obscene and demeaning advances to her.
With a print run of 1.2 million, Bild is the largest newspaper in Europe, but, like most publications, it has suffered a sharp drop in the number of print readers. In 2011, daily print sales averaged 2.8 million, according to the newspaper’s website, and that dropped from 4 million in 1965.
With its colorful graphics and emphasis on scandals, celebrities and sports, Bild – which means “image” – is Germany’s populist daily newspaper. The reading public inclines men. Until 2012, Bild displayed a photo of a topless woman on the front page every day and continues to publish images of half-naked “Bild Girls” online.
Unlike British right-wing tabloids, Bild is relatively non-partisan, but nonetheless opinionated, with an aggressive tabloid style, although it is printed in broadsheet format. Due to Bild’s reach, it is often the publication that leading political figures use to communicate with voters, offering exclusive interviews or interesting leaks.
Reichelt, 40, a former war correspondent who became editor-in-chief of Bild in 2017, also wrote opinion articles frequently. He recently protested what he said was the German government’s mismanagement of the pandemic crisis. He complained earlier this month that authorities fined runners for not wearing masks, while the federal and state governments hampered the distribution of vaccines.
Axel Springer, the parent company of Bild, is one of the most prominent media companies in Europe. Springer also owns Welt, a German daily newspaper; the online news site Business Insider; and Politico Europe. KKR, the private equity firm, owns 36 percent of Springer’s shares and holds three seats on the company’s nine-person supervisory board. Friede Springer, widow of founder Axel Springer, remains the main shareholder and board member.
Springer said in a statement on Saturday that the investigation involving Reichelt would include “an assessment of the credibility and integrity of all parties involved”.
The editor added: “Rumor-based prejudices are unacceptable for Axel Springer’s corporate culture.”