Global Courant 2023-04-16 16:29:39
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BERLIN (AP) — The CEO and co-owner of media company Axel Springer apologized on Sunday for making crude comments about “East Germans” in text messages leaked to a rival newspaper.
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The German weekly Die Zeit quoted Mathias Doepfner as saying that “the Ossis (a derogatory term for East Germans) are communists or fascists.” The remarks prompted sharp rebukes from officials in the East and called for Doepfner to resign.
In a short article for tabloid Bild am Sonntag, Doepfner expressed his regret “that I have offended, distressed or hurt many with my words.”
Doepfner said his comments about East Germans were sparked by his anger at the large proportion of voters there who support the post-communist left party or the far-right Alternative for Germany.
“When I’m angry or really happy, my cell phone becomes a lightning rod,” he said, adding that he had sent the messages to people “I trust immensely”, believing they would understand what he really meant.
Doepfner did not comment on other leaked reports suggesting he pressured journalists to promote a small pro-business party, the Free Democrats, ahead of the latest election.
German media noted that several of the leaked comments were directed at the former editor of the daily Bild, Julian Reichelt, who was impeached two years ago over allegations of misconduct.
Shortly after Reichelt’s departure, Axel Springer, majority-owned by US investment firm KKR, completed its acquisition of political news outlet Politico.
