Outrage over house ban at DESG press conference - German speed skating federation bans journalists after doping exposé backlash
Two investigative journalists from ARD were barred from a German speed skating press conference in January 2026. The ban followed a critical report by Hajo Seppelt and Jörg Mebus on doping allegations within the German Speed Skating and Short Track Federation (DESG). Major sports bodies and press freedom groups have since condemned the move as an attack on media rights.
The incident has sparked a wider debate about transparency in German sports governance.
The dispute began when Seppelt and Mebus aired a report during the Winter Olympics, accusing the DESG of mishandling doping cases. In response, DESG president Matthias Große held a two-and-a-half-hour press conference where he denounced the journalists. He labelled their work a 'hate campaign' and 'smear tactics' against both the federation and himself.
During the event, Seppelt and Mebus were refused entry and left waiting outside. They received no chance to defend themselves or respond to Große's claims. The German Journalists' Association (DJV) later called the exclusion an 'unbelievable incident', while the Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS) described it as a clear breach of press freedom.
The DESG initially dismissed the doping allegations as baseless and rejected calls for internal investigations. Instead, it requested an independent review by the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). By late February 2026, no concrete steps had been taken. Meanwhile, Olympic speed skater Fridtjof Petzold, who had publicly criticised the federation, now faces possible disciplinary action.
The DOSB emphasised that press freedom remains 'an essential pillar of democracy' and urged its member organisations to uphold it. Critics have also highlighted the DESG's reliance on public funding, arguing this increases its responsibility to ensure transparency and accountability.
The ban on Seppelt and Mebus has drawn sharp criticism from media and sports organisations alike. The DOSB, DJV, and VDS have all demanded respect for journalistic independence. The incident raises questions about how the DESG will address both the doping claims and its treatment of critical voices in the future.
