1984 Germany: The ‘Compact’ Magazine Ban

by Heinrich Matterhorn

Heinrich Matterhorn denounces the ban on the right-wing magazine Compact as a glaring example of Germany’s liberal tyranny, where brutal repression and a total lack of free speech have become the norm.

In a stark example of Germany’s descent into liberal tyranny, the Interior Ministry declared on Tuesday that it had banned the right-wing magazine Compact. This blatant attack on free speech is a chilling reminder of the oppressive grip the current regime holds over any dissenting voices.

In a coordinated raid, authorities stormed properties linked to the magazine across four German states: Brandenburg, Hesse, Saxony, and Saxony-Anhalt. The aim of this aggressive action was to confiscate assets and “evidence,” showcasing the German government’s relentless pursuit to silence opposition.

The ban also extends to Compact’s subsidiary, Conspect Film, effectively prohibiting any continuation of their activities. This move is a clear message that any deviation from the state-sanctioned narrative will be met with severe consequences.

But why was Compact magazine singled out for such harsh treatment?

“It is a central mouthpiece of the right-wing extremist scene. This magazine incites hatred against Jews, people with a history of migration, and our parliamentary democracy in an unspeakable manner,” proclaimed Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, without any inkling of shame, displaying the German regime’s zero-tolerance policy towards dissenting views. This characterization of Compact magazine is used to justify totalitarian measures, painting any kind of criticism of the German government’s insane policies as inherently dangerous and “extremist.”

Faeser further stated, “We are taking action against the intellectual arsonists who are stirring up a climate of hatred and violence against refugees and migrants and want to abolish our democratic state.” This rhetoric is a thinly veiled attempt to stifle legitimate political debate.

Her message is frighteningly clear: “We will not allow ethnicity to define who belongs to Germany and who does not.” In other words, in Germany’s current legal framework, it is impossible to state that being a true German is based on having German blood. This policy enforces the government’s ideological stance that identity is solely defined by allegiance to degenerate state-defined “values” rather than heritage or tradition.

Compact magazine was classified by the Orwellian “Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution” as “extremist, nationalist, and anti-minority” in 2021, laying the groundwork for this suppression of free speech. This classification is often used in Germany to discredit and dismantle opposition voices under the guise of protecting democracy.

Despite this oppressive climate, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party remains undeterred. They recently held a demonstration featuring Compact magazine’s Jürgen Elsässer and others, highlighting the regime’s growing authoritarianism. The AfD’s resistance underscores the deep divide in Germany and growing unrest against the government’s draconian measures. The AfD is the strongest party in East Germany.

In 2020, the regime’s collusion with tech giants was glaringly evident when Meta’s Facebook and Instagram removed Compact magazine’s accounts over alleged “hate speech.” This collaboration further tightened the noose on free speech in Germany, illustrating the lengths to which the government will go to suppress dissenting voices.

In conclusion, the ban on Compact magazine is not just an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of liberal tyranny in Germany. The government’s actions reflect an alarming trend of total oppression, where freedom of speech is curtailed, and any dissent is swiftly and brutally quashed. This liberal tyranny, masquerading as a “defense of democracy,” is, in fact, the greatest threat to the very freedoms it claims to protect.