Interview of the AfD conducted in Detmold ends up under State Security supervision
In an unusual move, the Lippische Landes-Zeitung (LZ) has been deleting and fact-checking statements from candidates of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party during interviews, and reporting any potentially criminal remarks to the authorities [1]. This approach, which has sparked controversy, is a response to concerns over extremist rhetoric and falsehoods associated with the AfD.
The practice was evident in an interview with AfD mayoral candidate Jirka Möller in August 2025, where the LZ cut passages and inserted italicized fact-checks, citing concerns about far-right extremist tendencies and conspiracy theories [1]. The paper also accused Möller of spreading a "right-wing conspiracy theory without evidence" when he claimed that the federal government was being controlled by a "New World Order."
This approach is not limited to the LZ. Other regional newspapers, such as the Aachener Zeitung, have also excluded AfD candidates from election forums or criticised them sharply, demonstrating a clear editorial opposition to the party's politics [1][2]. These newspapers justify their stance by pointing to the AfD's classification by authorities as far-right extremist, necessitating rigorous fact-checking and reporting of any remarks potentially crossing legal boundaries.
However, AfD representatives have criticised this practice as biased censorship, arguing that it filters political coverage and leaves no room for fair opinion formation about their party [1][2]. They claim that this approach excludes neutral debate and undermines the democratic process.
In a recent interview with the Detmold AfD candidate Viktor Hübner, the LZ applied the same practice, marking his answers with "fact checks" and countering political positions with its own comments [1]. When asked about the deleted passages, Möller stated that he did not know what he was supposed to have done wrong in the interview.
The police state protection is currently investigating whether the deleted passages contain criminally relevant statements. Kriminalhauptkommissarin Sonja Rehmert from the Police Presidency in Bielefeld confirmed that the interview with Möller is known and deals with police state protection [1].
The LZ has established guidelines for dealing with AfD candidates, including fundamental commenting, marking false statements, and reporting suspected criminal statements to authorities [1]. These guidelines were published on August 5. However, it is worth noting that the LZ did not apply this practice in conversations with candidates from other parties.
As the investigation continues, the controversy surrounding the LZ's approach to AfD interviews persists. The question of whether this approach is fair, balanced, and in line with democratic principles remains a subject of debate.
[1] [News Source 1] [2] [News Source 2]
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