Germany: Women Press Freedom Outraged by Harassment Campaign against Alexandra Föderl-Schmid
The deputy editor-in-chief of Süddeutsche Zeitung faces barrage of insults and threats amid plagiarism allegations aimed at undermining credibility
Location: Germany, Munich
Date: February 13, 2024
Women Press Freedom voices grave apprehension about the escalating hostility and threats targeted at Alexandra Föderl-Schmid, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Süddeutsche Zeitung, in light of plagiarism accusations put forth by right-wing media in an attempt to besmirch her reputation. The alarming reports of Föderl-Schmid's temporary disappearance and subsequent discovery under traumatic circumstances bring to the forefront the critical issue of mental health among journalists. The targeted attack on Föderl-Schmid, leveraging decades-old academic work to discredit and intimidate her, not only jeopardizes her personal safety but also places immense strain on her psychological well-being. We reiterate our calls for enhanced safeguards for journalists, including the provision of psychological assistance. We unequivocally condemn the orchestrated smear campaign against Föderl-Schmid and call for an exhaustive investigation into these threats, ensuring those responsible are held to account.
Alexandra Föderl-Schmid, the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Süddeutsche Zeitung, has been targeted with an aggressive, defamatory campaign spearheaded by the right-wing populist platform "Nius." This campaign has included accusations of plagiarism tied to her PhD dissertation, with "Nius" commissioning "plagiarism hunter" Stefan Weber to scrutinize her work. The online harassment campaign was further inflamed by these allegations, which primarily focused on the 30-year-old dissertation from the University of Salzburg.
In the face of allegations concerning her citation practices in journalistic writing, Föderl-Schmid temporarily withdrew from her role at Süddeutsche Zeitung and asked the University of Salzburg to examine her PhD thesis. The situation took a harrowing turn when Föderl-Schmid was reported missing for a day on February 8. The journalist was found severely hypothermic under a bridge in Braunau after police discovered her deserted vehicle.
“I have received many good wishes. I am very grateful for them. I still need rest and recovery,” Alexandra Föderl-Schmid conveyed in a message to her editorial team.
A multitude of voices have come forward in support of Föderl-Schmid. The Concordia Press Club and the German Association of Journalists (DJV) have strongly condemned the ongoing online harassment and threats directed towards Föderl-Schmid. Concordia Press Club stated, "The orchestrated campaigns by reckless tabloid media, propaganda platforms, and self-styled 'plagiarism hunters' are strategic assaults on quality media, aimed at stifling critical reporting or undermining its credibility.”
Medien Insider published excerpts from Föderl-Schmid's articles that appeared to include content from uncredited sources. Although Föderl-Schmid acknowledged some discrepancies, more accusations surfaced in early February from Stefan Weber, a self-proclaimed "plagiarism hunter," and Nius, a right-wing media platform.
DJV firmly denounced the wave of hostility against Föderl-Schmid, stating, "Even if there were errors or inaccuracies in Föderl-Schmid's work and/or in her articles, these can never justify the smear campaign that has been launched."
Alexandra Föderl-Schmid's distinguished career, marked by her pioneering role as the first woman to hold the position of co-publisher and Editor-in-Chief at Der Standard in Austria, and her extensive reporting on significant European matters, attests to her commitment to quality journalism. The attempt to discredit her contributions to the field is an attack not just on her but on the principles of journalistic integrity and freedom.
Women Press Freedom remains unwavering in our support for Alexandra Föderl-Schmid and all journalists facing similar campaigns aimed at undermining their credibility and silencing their voices. We reiterate our call for a thorough investigation into these matters and for the establishment of stronger protections for journalists to ensure their safety and well-being in the face of such unwarranted attacks.
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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