Among numerous cases of arbitrary police actions registered by the MFRR partners in 2024 was the case of the German journalist Max Ludwig, who were repeatedly harassed by the police force at Munich airport, including uncalled for questioning, police escort and obstruction of free movement (The MFRR logged an alert: https://www.mapmf.org/alert/32058).
On August 14 when covering an action by the Last Generation group, Ludwig was threatened by the police with a ban at the Munich Airport despite the fact that they had presented their press credentials. On August 21, Ludwig who was travelling privately was first harassed and then subjected to police measures at Munich Airport. Moreover, their companions were also questioned and searched. The group was escorted by the police again, upon their return from vacation.
The repeated and uncalled for police measures against Max Ludwig and their companions on 21 August, during their private travel, lead to a conclusion of retaliation against the journalist for their professional activities.
In this regard, let us recall the OSCE ODIHR Guidelines on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly, which stipulate that ‘The role of the media as a public watchdog is to impart information and ideas on matters of public interest – information that the public also has a right to receive. Media reports can thus provide an otherwise absent element of public accountability for both organizers of assemblies and law-enforcement officials. Media professionals should, therefore, be guaranteed as much access as is possible to an assembly and to any related policing operation.’
The growing number of such cases calls for preemptive measures, the relevant authorities should advise force of the rights of media workers and ensure their unhindered access to places of peaceful protest in line with their professional responsibilities.
Watch the interview with Max Ludwig below:
