The organizer of the German discussion forum Business Club excluded the press from an upcoming event in Schwerin at the request of Rolf Hoffmeister, head of the furniture chain Höffner. The decision led to the cancellation of the event by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, which is linked to the SPD party and was hosting it, and sparked opposition from representatives of Jewish communities. Critics assessed this step as an attack on press freedom, especially since media could previously apply to attend. Due to the controversy, the foundation canceled the meeting without providing an alternative date.

Exclusion of Journalists on Request

At the request of Rolf Hoffmeister, owner of the furniture chain Höffner, the business club organizer excluded journalists from the event, even though they could previously apply. The decision was criticized as restricting press freedom.

Protest and Cancellation by SPD Foundation

The Friedrich Ebert Foundation, linked to German social democracy (SPD) and serving as the host of the meeting in Schwerin, canceled the entire event in response to the decision to exclude the media. The organization considered this an unacceptable restriction of press freedom.

Criticism from Jewish Communities

Representatives of the Jewish community, including the Central Council of Jews in Germany, condemned the decision, pointing out that excluding the media hinders transparency and open debate, especially in the context of a planned panel on antisemitism.

Controversy surrounds the Business Club discussion forum, whose meeting in Schwerin was canceled after the organizer decided to exclude the media at the request of Rolf Hoffmeister, owner of the furniture chain Höffner. The organizer, the company Media Consult Team, imposed a ban on the press, informing about it only a few days before the event planned for March 11. The host of the meeting, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) – an institution closely linked to the SPD – reacted by immediately canceling the entire undertaking. Representatives of the foundation, including its managing director for the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region, Andreas Hüchtermann, unequivocally considered this decision an unacceptable restriction of press freedom. „For us, as a foundation closely linked to social democratic values, it is clear that press freedom is a fundamental value that cannot be negotiated” – Hüchtermann stated. Press freedom in Germany has been guaranteed by the Basic Law (Grundgesetz) since 1949 and is one of the foundations of democracy, also shaped in response to the experience of censorship during the times of National Socialism and the GDR. Political foundations, such as FES or the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (CDU), play a significant role in public life in Germany, organizing debates and supporting civic education. The decision was met with sharp criticism from the Central Council of Jews in Germany. Its spokesman, Alexander Rasumny, emphasized that excluding journalists from public debate, especially when it is supposed to concern such an important topic as antisemitism, contradicts the spirit of open discussion. The event in Schwerin was to focus on combating antisemitism in everyday life, and among the panelists were, among others, Alexander Rasumny and Bernd Fabritius, the Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities. Controversy was sparked by the fact that Rolf Hoffmeister, who demanded the exclusion of the media, has past statements questioned by the Central Council of Jews. In a 2021 interview with the „Jüdische Allgemeine,” Hoffmeister stated that „Jews are very well organized,” which, according to the Council, constituted a reproduction of antisemitic stereotypes. The businessman later explained that his words were taken out of context and that he firmly distances himself from antisemitism. The organizer, Media Consult Team, defended the decision in a statement to the media, claiming the goal was to create a „protected space” for open and honest discussion among participants. This company is known for organizing exclusive Business Club meetings with prominent politicians and businessmen, often behind closed doors. This time, however, according to correspondence, it was Hoffmeister who directly demanded that journalists not be allowed to participate in the event, to which the organizer agreed. The FES Foundation emphasized that it itself had raised no objections to the presence of the press and learned about the ban at the last minute.

Mentioned People

  • Rolf Hoffmeister — Owner and head of the furniture chain Höffner, who demanded the exclusion of media from the Business Club event.
  • Andreas Hüchtermann — Managing Director of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) for the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania region, who canceled the event.
  • Alexander Rasumny — Spokesman for the Central Council of Jews in Germany, criticizing the decision to exclude the media.
  • Bernd Fabritius — Federal Government Commissioner for Matters Related to Ethnic German Resettlers and National Minorities, one of the invited panelists.