A section of journalists across Germany have faulted police for  brutality while practicing their profession.

A report by the European Federation of Journalists in Germany indicates that some times, journalists are attacked by government officials and tortured by police.

Europe’s biggest economy has reported 252 cases of journalist brutality by police and government officials since 2020, among which 22 are physical injuries, 33 are damages to property, four are arson attacks and 29 are threats.

During a zoom  meeting with journalists, Monique Hofmann, the manager for the European Federation of  Journalists in Germany, said tourture is considered as a high-risk site for journalists and officers are often unable to protect the media professionals.

"The situation is extremely worrying and needs to be dealt with urgently,” Hofmann said. The data is considered shocking but not surprising as German unions have been studying this alarming trend.

According to him, the figures can largely be explained by the numerous violent demonstrations that took place in Germany in 2020 in protest against the Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hofmann noted that a dim climax in the past year was the Querdenken demonstration in Leipzig on 7 November, where at least 43 journalists were prevented from carrying out their work by protesters and police officers.

During a zoom meeting, Hendrik Zörner, the spokesperson for the European Federation of Journalists in Germany, criticized the lack of action from the police forces who do not intervene sufficiently  at all. “Police officers are also there to enforce basic rights. And that includes Article 5 of the Constitution, freedom of the press and freedom of expression,” Zörner stated. He also stressed that Police officers sometimes obstruct journalists work by not allowing them to cover stories of public concern.

 “The interior ministries must take measures such as regular training in order to raise awareness among police forces about the problem. In December, we had a very constructive conversation with the Berlin Senator for the Interior. We agreed to improve our cooperation to make the work of journalists easier and safer, especially during demonstrations,” said Zörner.

Olivia Rademache, a journalist at Radio Pegasus, says the incidents have increased in the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. She adds, however, that some of these cases are minor.

To improve press freedom and make work safer for journalists on the ground, civil society and media unions such as the German Federation of Journalists (DJV) have unveiled a code of protection. They are calling for all those involved  including media organizations, politicians and police  to take responsibility. Precautions taken by broadcasters and publishers will play an important role, as will closer consultation with authorities.