When journalists become agents | DW Documentary

Key Concepts

• BND (Bundesnachrichtendienst): The German Federal Intelligence Service, responsible for foreign intelligence gathering.
• Journalistic Independence: The ethical requirement for reporters to remain neutral and free from influence by government or intelligence agencies.
• "Do ut des" (I give so that you give): A Latin principle describing the transactional nature of intelligence gathering, where information is exchanged for favors, money, or access.
• Special Press Contacts: A historical BND classification system (Categories I, II, and III) used to categorize journalists based on their utility and level of cooperation with the agency.
• The Schäfer Report: A 2005 investigation by former federal judge Gerhard Schäfer into the BND’s illegal surveillance of journalists and the recruitment of journalists as informants.

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1. The Dual Role of Journalists as Agents

The video highlights the case of Wilhelm Dietl, a successful foreign correspondent who worked secretly for the BND for 11 years (starting in 1982).

• Methodology: Dietl claimed to keep his roles separate, using his journalistic cover to gain access to high-profile figures (e.g., Yasser Arafat) while simultaneously gathering intelligence on terrorist organizations like Abu Nidal.
• Ethical Conflict: Dietl deceived his interview subjects and his readers, who were unaware that his reporting was funded or influenced by the government. He argues that his journalistic work remained "100% professional," but critics argue that any secret cooperation with an intelligence agency inherently compromises journalistic integrity.

2. Historical Context: The BND’s "Special Press Contacts"

The relationship between the BND and the press has deep historical roots, notably exposed in the 1970s by Horst Emcke, head of the Chancellery.

• Categorization: The BND maintained a list of journalists divided into three categories:
  • Category I: "Hot agents" who were fully aware of their role, held ID numbers, and received payment or travel funding.
  • Category II: Formal contacts used as needed.
  • Category III: Chance contacts or prospective agents.
• Case Study: Countess Marion Dönhoff, former editor-in-chief of Die Zeit, was listed as a contact. While she and the BND denied collaboration, evidence suggested the BND financed her trips, raising significant questions about the independence of prominent media figures.

3. The "Do ut des" Principle and Surveillance

The video explores how intelligence agencies exploit the curiosity and ambition of journalists.

• The Trap: Journalists often seek information from the BND for investigative stories. However, agencies operate on the do ut des principle, expecting information in return.
• Surveillance of Critics: Erich Schmidt-Eenboom, a vocal critic of the BND, became a target of the agency. The BND monitored his institute, installed cameras in cars parked outside his office, and searched his trash.
• The "Informant" Scandal: The 2005 scandal revealed that the BND not only monitored journalists but also recruited some journalists to spy on their own colleagues. This created a climate of distrust within the media community.

4. Defining the "Red Line"

The video examines where the boundary between legitimate reporting and espionage lies.

• Legitimate Interaction: Journalists like Lars Petersen (Business Insider/Die Welt) note that background conversations with intelligence officials are necessary for investigative journalism.
• The Red Line: The consensus among experts is that a journalist crosses a red line when they:
  1. Actively volunteer information about their newsroom or colleagues.
  2. Accept payment or gifts (e.g., the 10,000 Deutschmarks offered to Schmidt-Eenboom).
  3. Allow their reporting to be directed by intelligence objectives.

5. Notable Quotes and Perspectives

• Erich Schmidt-Eenboom: "Those were the really hot agents who, fully aware of their role, were in touch with a BND liaison." (Describing Category I contacts).
• Andreas Förster: "Suddenly you realized that some of them were playing dirty, hiding their cards and going behind our backs. That was a huge disappointment." (Reflecting on the discovery that colleagues were spying on him).
• Wilhelm Dietl: "The accusation [of spying on colleagues] is completely untrue... many colleagues say it was jealousy due to my many successes."

6. Synthesis and Conclusion

The relationship between the BND and the press remains a "gray area." While the Schäfer Report led to stricter service regulations and a public outcry, the fundamental tension persists: intelligence agencies view journalists as valuable human sources, while journalists require independence to maintain credibility.

The main takeaway is that the media industry has largely failed to engage in a rigorous self-examination regarding these boundaries. As the video concludes, the question of how close a journalist should get to an intelligence agency is not just a legal matter, but an ethical one that directly impacts the credibility of the entire profession. The lack of clear, enforced boundaries continues to leave the door open for potential compromises of journalistic integrity.