Munich court upholds injunction against ZDF over BSI claims

The Munich Higher Regional Court has upheld a ruling requiring ZDF to cease certain statements made during the satirical program ‘ZDF Magazin Royale’. The legal dispute involves the former president of the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI), who claimed that statements broadcast in October 2022 created a false impression that he had maintained deliberate contacts with foreign intelligence services.

While the court confirmed the injunction to prevent further dissemination of these specific claims, it denied the former BSI president’s claim for monetary compensation of at least 100,000 euros. The court ruled that while the statements could infringe upon personal rights by implying unverified facts, they did not meet the threshold for financial damages in this instance.