Overview
- On ZDF’s Markus Lanz this week, Schleswig-Holstein Minister-President Daniel Günther answered yes when asked if he would regulate, censor or, in an extreme case, ban media he deems hostile.
- Commentaries in BILD and Cicero described the stance as a direct threat to Basic Law protections and compared it with censorship practices in the former East Germany.
- Legal experts cited by BILD argued the constitution prohibits prior restraint and bars the state from imposing media quality standards or banning disfavored outlets.
- BILD reported that Günther declined to answer its queries but posted that he supports press and opinion freedom, urged media responsibility, and denounced fake news from so‑called alternative media.
- Prominent critics demanded a retraction, apology or resignation, and no public retraction has been reported as of today.