In three proceedings, Cologne Regional Court has prohibited verbal and visual reporting on an incident at Cologne/Bonn Airport.
The lawsuit was brought by the well-known musician and music producer Herbert Grönemeyer.

False reporting about Herbert Grönemeyer

Allegedly, the well-known musician Herbert Grönemeyer had beaten and injured two photo reporters during a minor altercation.
A video and various photos appeared to prove his actions.
However, according to experts, the video published on Bild.de was apparently „deliberately incomplete“ and therefore misleading for readers.

The 28th Civil Chamber of the Regional Court of Cologne has now prohibited Heinrich Bauer Verlag, Axel Springer Verlag and Bunte Entertainment from publishing images and videos as well as a verbal report.
A photographer’s statement that his hand and face were injured may also no longer be published.

In detail, the judgments against the publishers were handed down in three different proceedings.

Heinrich Bauer Verlag may no longer report on incident in December 2014

In the first proceedings (judgment of 05.07.2017 – 28 O 177/15), Heinrich Bauer Verlag was prohibited from publishing images of the incident or spreading the word that Herbert Grönemeyer had bent a photographer’s finger.
The statement that he had hit the photographer’s camera or defended himself with a laptop bag was also prohibited.
In addition, the publisher was not allowed to publish the statements of the persons concerned that they had been seriously injured in the hand and face.

Bild was also prohibited from reporting on Grönemeyer

The reporting Axel Springer Verlag (judgment of 05.07.2017 – 28 O 178/15) was also prohibited from such reporting.
In addition, the publisher was not allowed to publish that Herbert Grönemeyer had knocked the camera out of a reporter’s hand or choked the other reporter.
A corresponding photo report was also inadmissible.

„Bunte“ must print correction publicly

The court ruling by the Regional Court of Cologne (judgment of 05.07.2017 – 28 O 225/15) against „Bunte“ goes even further.
In addition to the ban on reporting, the magazine was obliged to publish a correction.
In December 2014, it had reported that Grönemeyer had thrown a travel bag at the reporters‘ heads and grabbed the reporter, who had fallen to the ground, with his hands.

The correction must be made to the effect that Grönemeyer merely held the reporter by the neck and he then dropped to the ground.
The costs for pre-trial legal fees in the amount of EUR 3,111 are also to be paid by „Bunten“.

Judges reconstructed the incident and prohibit false reporting

All three verdicts were based on detailed evidence.
The judges took a very close look at the course of events, analyzed the videos and images, and heard witnesses.
The court also heard expert witnesses – who were commissioned by Grönemeyer.

Following the results of the hearing of evidence, the chamber considered it to be proven that the now prohibited statements were untrue and that Herbert Grönemeyer’s personal rights had therefore been violated.
This is stated in a press release from the Cologne Regional Court.

The judgments are not yet final and the publishers still have the option of appealing to the Higher Regional Court of Cologne.

The ruling shows once again that a long and costly legal dispute can be worthwhile.
Even if there are allegedly incriminating video recordings, it is possible and sensible to enforce measures to protect personal privacy.