Germany: CFWIJ Condemns The Police Harassment Against Journalist Kim Winkler
Location: Germany
Date: May 10, 2021
Kim Winkler, a photojournalist based in Berlin, was targeted online by police via Twitter on May 3. CFWIJ is dismayed by the gratuitous targeting of the journalist. We demand Berlin police officials to conduct an inquiry into that matter. It is highly unethical for a public security institution to harass journalists, whether online or in the field.
The tweet from Berlin police tagged Kim Winkler and stated, “What is supposed to be here? Fake journalists threatening real journalists?” The insinuation applied in this tweet is dangerous and undermines Kim Winkler. CFWIJ believes this is a direct attempt to discredit the journalist’s work. A public service institution may have a difference of opinion with a woman journalist but targeting her through an official social media account sets an alarming precedent.
Jorg Reichel, associated with dju in ver di, tweeted about the Berlin Police’s actions. He said that the union blocked the accounts of the Independent Police Association as police officers deem individual journalists as “disruptors”. Reichel went on to say the accounts pose a threat to press freedom.
Unabhängige in der Polizei e.V. @UPol_eV @UPolBund Wir haben gestern diese Accounts blockiert. Wdh. haben Polizist*innen der @polizeiberlin einzelne Journalist*innen thematisiert und uns als „Störer“ markiert. Diese acc sind für uns eine Bedrohung der #Pressefreiheit.
— Jörg Reichel (@ver_jorg) May 3, 2021
In his next tweet on the issue, Jorg Reichel commented that Berlin police officers continue to attack journalists. Kim Winkler has been the target for weeks, and PP Slowik is silent about the persistent attacks on journalists.
Die Berliner Polizist*innen @UPol_eV von @polizeiberlin greifen weiter Journalist*innen an. Seit Wochen wird die Journalist*in @KimWinkler1312 wdh. zum Thema gemacht. PP Slowik schweigt zu den regelmäßigen Angriffen auf Journalist*innen aus ihrem Haus. https://t.co/43LRM3wD5v pic.twitter.com/8MkphJMJ7Q
— Jörg Reichel (@ver_jorg) May 3, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands a detailed, in-depth inquiry into the targeted harassment of Kim Winkler. We demand Berlin police refrain from interfering and jeopardizing journalists' work. By targeting Kim through official accounts, the police have made the journalist susceptible to public threats. The officers involved in this reckless behavior must be held accountable.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
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