Germany: CFWIJ condemns the police harassment against journalist Kim Winkler

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May 10, 2021- Kim Winkler, a photojournalist based in Berlin, was targeted online by police via Twitter on May 3. CFWIJ is dismayed by the gratuitous targeting of the journalist. We demand Berlin police officials to conduct an inquiry into that matter. It is highly unethical for a public security institution to harass journalists, whether online or in the field. 

The tweet from Berlin police tagged Kim Winkler and stated, “What is supposed to be here? Fake journalists threatening real journalists?” The insinuation applied in this tweet is dangerous and undermines Kim Winkler. CFWIJ believes this is a direct attempt to discredit the journalist’s work. A public service institution may have a difference of opinion with a woman journalist but targeting her through an official social media account sets an alarming precedent. 

Jorg Reichel, associated with dju in ver di, tweeted about the Berlin Police’s actions. He said that the union blocked the accounts of the Independent Police Association as police officers deem individual journalists as “disruptors”. Reichel went on to say the accounts pose a threat to press freedom.

In his next tweet on the issue, Jorg Reichel commented that Berlin police officers continue to attack journalists. Kim Winkler has been the target for weeks, and PP Slowik is silent about the persistent attacks on journalists.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands a detailed, in-depth inquiry into the targeted harassment of Kim Winkler. We demand Berlin police refrain from interfering and jeopardizing journalists' work. By targeting Kim through official accounts, the police have made the journalist susceptible to public threats. The officers involved in this reckless behavior must be held accountable.