In a pivotal judgment on Tuesday, the German Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig ruled to lift the previously imposed ban on the right-wing Compact magazine, marking a significant moment in the ongoing debate over freedom of expression and press in Germany.

The court determined that while Compact magazine's content, which is often viewed as promoting anticonstitutional ideals, did raise concerns, it did not sufficiently meet the criteria necessary to sustain a ban. Under the German legal framework, notably Article 9(2)(2) of the Basic Law and Section 3(1) of the Association Act, a ban can only be enforced if an association's activities severely undermine values such as human dignity, democratic principles, and the rule of law.

Compact, largely influenced by editor-in-chief Jürgen Elsässer and known for its alignment with Martin Sellner's controversial remigration concept, was criticized for undermining human dignity and portraying migrants as inferior. However, the court highlighted the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression, ruling that the magazine’s critical stance on migration policies and its dissemination of various conspiracy theories about the pandemic and the war in Ukraine were within the bounds of permissible speech.

In response to the court's decision, Jürgen Elsässer hailed the ruling as a "major victory" for press freedom, emphasizing that such freedoms should remain inviolable. Echoing this sentiment, Mika Beuster, Federal Chairman of the German Journalists Association (DJV), reaffirmed the necessity to protect freedom of expression and press. Nevertheless, Beuster also called for vigilant measures against the spread of extremist content by Compact, which he stated should not be conflated with legitimate journalism.

The lifting of the ban comes after former German Federal Minister of the Interior, Nancy Faeser, initially implemented the prohibition in June 2024, linking the magazine to the right-wing Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. This action was part of broader efforts to curb right-wing extremism in the country, a stance underscored by previous legal challenges involving the AfD and its classification by Germany's domestic intelligence as an extremist organization.

The ruling not only reopens the discourse on the limits and protections of journalistic freedom in Germany but also sets a precedent on how extremism is to be judicially handled without infringing on fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution. As the nation grapples with these complex issues, the reinstatement of Compact magazine will undoubtedly continue to stir significant public and political debate.