Germany Bans 'Compact' Magazine: A Blow Against the 'New Right'

The German government has banned the far-right Compact magazine, accusing it of inciting hatred and undermining democracy. The magazine, known for its tabloid-style articles, has been published since 2010 and has a circulation of around 40,000 copies.

It is ideologically close to the AfD party and is considered a central actor in the networking of the 'New Right'. The ban includes the sale of the magazine, its website, and symbols associated with it.

Compact's editor, Jürgen Elsässer, has expressed outrage at the ban, calling it an 'attack on press freedom'. The ban does not directly impact the AfD, but it deprives the right-wing fringe of the party of a platform for disseminating its content.

The ban on Compact raises questions about the balance between press freedom and the need to counter right-wing extremism in Germany. This ban, while relatively rare, highlights the government's commitment to protecting democracy and combating hate speech and extremist ideologies.