The ARD journalists Hajo Seppelt and Jörg Mebus were excluded from a press conference because of critical reports about the DESG. Broadcasters and journalists’ associations are protesting.
- ARD journalists excluded from DESG press conference
- The reason is reports about the association
- Journalists’ association and broadcasters criticize exclusion
- DESG President Große defends stay-at-home orders
After the ARD journalists Hajo Seppelt from Berlin and Jörg Mebus were banned, the German Speed Skating and Short Track Association (DESG) has come under heavy criticism. The two were not allowed to attend an association press conference on Thursday in Berlin’s Müggelturm.
At the beginning of the Winter Olympics, a “Sportschau” report (sportschau.de) discussed alleged irregularities at the DESG and a strained relationship between some athletes and the association’s top management. Seppelt and Mebus played a key role in this report.
VDS and DJV with sharp criticism
The Association of German Sports Journalists (VDS) protested against the treatment of Seppelt and Mebus. “We see the non-admission of colleagues as a clear infringement on press freedom,” the association wrote in a public communication to the DESG. “Your community is supported with public money, and we would like to urgently remind you of the responsibility that arises from this.” The attempt to regulate critical sports journalism is “vehemently opposed,” wrote the VDS.
The German Journalists Association (DJV) also strongly condemned the exclusion. “The house ban against ARD colleagues is an incredible process,” said DJV federal chairman Mika Beuster. “It’s not acceptable to organize a press conference like a closed shop.”
ARD sports coordinator wants to consider legal action
Axel Balkausky, sports coordinator for ARD, sharply criticized the DESG’s approach: “In our view, the non-admission of selected reporters to an official press conference is fundamentally unacceptable.”
“It is a one-off event that also leaves us with questions about the attitude of the federal government and other institutions that finance the DESG.” The process raises “significant legal questions that we will examine,” Balkausky continued.
DOSB: “Respect freedom of the press”
The German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) found similar words. “We expect our legally independent and autonomous member organizations to respect press freedom in the same way that we do,” it said in a statement.
Freedom of the press is an “essential asset of our democracy, which the DOSB naturally respects and values.”
DESG President Matthias Große
What happened is the greatest shame. Anyone can talk to me except Jörg Mebus and Hajo Seppelt.
Great speaks of “Smear campaign”
At the press conference on Thursday, Berlin DESG President Matthias Große defended the ban on the two ARD journalists and spoke of a “smear campaign” against his association. “What happened is the greatest shame. Anyone can talk to me except Jörg Mebus and Hajo Seppelt,” said Große.
The partner of five-time Olympic champion Claudia Pechstein spoke of a “hate game” against the association, himself and also his partner. “ARD and Hajo Seppelt crashed the Olympic Games for us and we won’t let that happen. It doesn’t work that way,” said Große.
The DESG around the controversial President Matthias Große had scheduled the press conference on Thursday to take a position on the “Sportschau” report. The Berlin Müggelturm belongs to Große.
Broadcast: rbb|24, February 26, 2026, 3 p.m
