Shocking Revelations about Esteemed Journalist
Hubert Seipel, the renowned German journalist and Putin observer, has found himself in hot water after an investigation by 69 global media outlets, led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and German Paper Trail Media, uncovered his secret sponsorship agreements worth hundreds of thousands of euros from influential Russian billionaire Mordashov[1].
The Sponsorship Deal
The documents obtained by journalists revealed that five years ago, Seipel entered into a contract to bring in a minimum of 600,000 euros for the creation and promotion of a book on Russia's political climate. Mordashov, one of Russia's wealthiest individuals and on EU and US sanctions lists, provided the funds for this project[1].
The result of this arrangement was Seipel's 2021 book, "Putin's Power. Why Russia to Europe?". The documents also pointed toward a similar agreement for Seipel's 2015 book, "Putin: The Logic of Power." It appears, however, that Seipel and his publisher remained unaware of these agreements[1].
Late Admission and Justification
In a 2021 radio interview, when asked if Seipel had ever received funds from Russia, he initially refused to answer. Afterward, he declared that the funds went to support his book projects, not his film or public activities[2].
However, the disclosure of these sponsorship agreements tarnished Seipel's reputation. In an effort to save face, he later admitted that books about Putin had been sponsored by Mordashov's companies. Yet, Seipel maintained that this sponsorship did not discredit his writings[2].
He argued that the agreement included a provision exempting him from any obligations toward the sponsor regarding the "composition and content of the book." Moreover, Mordashov is a private investor who sponsors projects[2].
Public Outcry
This scandal sparked widespread outrage, particularly given Seipel's claim of maintaining objectivity in his reporting on Russian affairs. The loss of credibility extended to German broadcasting services ARD and NDR, funded by citizens' subscription fees[2].
Paul Ronzheimer, a journalist and fellow in political communication at the Hannah Arendt Institute for Political Theory, showed his disdain for Seipel's behavior: "As a journalist and a person, I feel nothing but contempt for Hubert Seipel's behavior"[2].
The Damage to Reputation
Seipel's reputation as an objective journalist suffered as a consequence of his financial ties to Mordashov. His work, once regarded as evidence of sound journalistic skill, was now perceived through a dubious lens.
References:
[1] ICIJ, “Mordashov is a Russian oligarch with an influence outreach far beyond Russia - Anna Reuters,” ICIJ, .
[2] “ARD-TV (Germany) rubbed off Putin propaganda unfortunately for years,” 20 Minuten, .
