Germany: Women Press Freedom Condemns Dismissal of Journalist Helen Fares Amidst Death and Deportation Threats
Broadcaster yields to campaign aimed at silencing, instead of defending journalist’s right to free expression, as agreed upon in her employment terms
Location: GermanyDate: April 9, 2024
Women Press Freedom is deeply troubled by the circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Helen Fares from Südwestrundfunk (SWR), which highlight a concerning trend of threats and character attacks against the journalist. Fares, a presenter with SWR, was known for her outspoken views and activism, characteristics that were known and previously accepted by her employer. Her dismissal, prompted by her advocacy against products that support the Israeli economy, represents a betrayal of their agreement with her. Women Press Freedom calls for a reassessment of Fares' dismissal and urges media organizations worldwide to genuinely commit to supporting their journalists' right to free expression, as long as it is exercised within the bounds of professional ethics and agreed-upon terms of employment.
Helen Fares, a presenter for the German public broadcaster Südwestrundfunk (SWR), has been dismissed following her social media posts that criticized Israeli policies and called for boycotting products supporting Israel’s economy. The broadcaster confirmed her termination on Monday, stating that her actions violated its neutrality policy.
Fares, 29, who is of Syrian descent, has faced accusations of anti-Semitism after a video she posted on Instagram refuting allegations made in a German newspaper article. In the video, she argued, "We are not anti-Semitic because we are boycotting products from a company that supports a country currently under investigation for genocide by the International Court of Justice."
Following the publication of the article, Fares revealed that she had received numerous threatening messages and calls demanding her dismissal. Fares expressed in a subsequent Instagram post that the threats had escalated to include death and deportation threats. “(I’m) getting hateful emails calling for me to die or be deported,” she says in a video.
SWR explained that the decision to terminate Fares was based on the need to maintain the impartiality required of debate program moderators. The broadcaster emphasized that while Fares made the posts in her personal capacity, her public declarations conflicted with her professional responsibilities, which demand neutrality.
In a conversation before signing her contract, Fares allegedly told the broadcaster: "I am a journalist AND an activist, I talk about Palestine, among other things, and that will never change." During the phone call, the broadcaster assured her, "Yes, we know what you're doing."
Fares responded to her dismissal with a video on Instagram, stating, "The German media is trying to silence all voices that speak out for Palestine,” suggesting that her support for Palestinian rights was the actual reason behind her being targeted for dismissal.
The campaign against Fares and the resultant threats she received represent a dangerous blurring of the lines between legitimate criticism of state policies and alleged hate speech. The reaction was not just disproportionate but alarmingly aggressive, illustrating the precarious position journalists occupy when addressing divisive issues.
SWR’s decision to dismiss Fares ostensibly for breaching neutrality commitments must be scrutinized in light of these external pressures. It is concerning that the broadcaster may have capitulated to a campaign seeking to silence a journalist rather than defend her right to free expression within the agreed parameters of her employment. The broadcaster's response to external pressure raises serious questions about the protection and support media organizations should offer their staff against intimidation and coercion.
Women Press Freedom urges a reassessment of the decision regarding Helen Fares, particularly considering the hostile environment that influenced it. We call on SWR and other media organizations to stand firmly by their journalists, defending them against unfounded accusations and ensuring their safety against threats.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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