Three journalist organizations have lodged a complaint against German authorities with the Federal Constitutional Court, as disclosed by local media on Wednesday. The complaint pertains to the surveillance of phone conversations between journalists and climate activists by investigators. This legal move follows two previous court decisions from Munich’s District Court and Munich’s Regional Court.
The associations involved are the Bavarian Journalists Association (BJV), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Society for Civil Rights (GFF). They argue that the authorities’ actions violated press freedom by unlawfully eavesdropping on communications between journalists and members of Last Generation (Letzte Generation), a climate activist group known for direct actions.
According to a press release from the GFF, the Munich prosecutor’s office monitored a phone line designated for journalist inquiries by Last Generation for several months. The surveillance affected 171 journalists, none of whom were informed about this investigative measure.
Initial complaints filed by the journalist organizations were dismissed by Munich’s District Court and Regional Court. Although the Regional Court acknowledged the wiretapping as a “profound interference with press freedom,” it ruled the surveillance measure “proportionate” due to an ongoing investigation into seven Last Generation activists suspected of supporting a criminal organization, an allegation the group denied.
BJV Chairman Harald Stocker criticized the court rulings and emphasized that judges should thoroughly evaluate any interference with press freedom before authorizing wiretaps, as noted in a press release. Managing Director Dennis Amour termed the surveillance measure “disproportionate,” arguing it should not be used to sidestep the professional secrecy protections afforded to reporters.
The journalist organizations aim to ensure that future court decisions methodically consider the impact on press freedom and demand a detailed assessment of alternatives prior to approving surveillance.
This case underscores broader tensions, as highlighted in a July Human Rights Watch report, between government actions and press freedoms amidst escalating environmental protests across Europe.