GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 2004
Ownership
Cicero, a German monthly magazine for political culture, was founded in 2004 by journalist Wolfram Weimer and originally belonged to the Ringier publishing group. In a 2016 management buy-out, editors-in-chief Alexander Marguier and Christoph Schwennicke took the magazine (together with the art title Monopol) out of Ringier into their own Res Publica Verlags GmbH in Berlin. After Schwennicke left and sold his shares in 2021, the company is held by Marguier and financial manager Dirk Notheis, who are listed as the publishers.
Funding
Financed commercially through newsstand sales, print and digital subscriptions, and advertising, with the publishing house owned by its editor and a private investor rather than by a corporate group.
Affiliation & stance
Cicero is an opinion-driven political magazine with a conservative-liberal, center-right editorial line, but it is privately owned by its own editorial leadership and a private investor with no party, church or state control. That commercial, independent ownership makes it INDEPENDENT, consistent with the site's classification (lean center-right).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Conservative
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 137
72/100
Factual
59/100
Objective
139
Articles
139
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage
Cornell University: What the SevenCornell Seven are accused of in the rape case of aneJane Doe
The article discusses a controversial case at Cornell University involving allegations of group sexual assault against a student known as 'Jane Doe.' The accounts provided by the student and the accused men differ significantly, leading to ongoing legal proceedings led by a special prosecutor. The situation has sparked significant debate within American society, highlighting broader issues around campus safety, sexual misconduct policies, and the challenges of handling such cases in academic institutions.
The Nobel Prize in Medicine: a victory for basic research
The Nobel Prize in Medicine has been awarded to Peter Hegemann, Georg Nagel, and Karl Deisseroth for their groundbreaking work in optogenetics. Their research involves using light-sensitive proteins derived from algae to control neurons, enabling scientists to study brain function at an unprecedented level. This method allows researchers like Markus Rothermel to explore how attention forms, how memories and emotions are created by nerve cells, and other complex neurological processes. The development of optogenetics began with studies on the green alga *Chlamydomonas reinhardtii*, which uses a photoreceptor similar to human rhodopsin to move toward light. This discovery led to the identification of light-sensitive ion channels that could be used to activate neurons. Despite initial skepticism, the breakthrough was achieved in 2002 by Hegemann and Nagel, and later refined by Deisseroth, who applied the technique to neuroscience.
Boris Rhein dares to break the taboo - Red lines instead of firewalls
The article discusses Boris Rhein, a German politician, who is taking a controversial stance by challenging established norms or boundaries within his political sphere. The title suggests he is breaking a tabu, possibly related to policies or positions previously considered off-limits. The phrase 'Rote Linien statt Brandmauer' implies a shift from strict prohibitions ('red lines') to more flexible approaches ('firewall'), indicating a potential reevaluation of certain restrictions or divisions.
France, the warning sign of a new wave of unrest
The article references ongoing unrest in France, suggesting it serves as a warning. The headline implies concern over the situation but does not provide specific details about the nature of the unrest, its causes, or its implications.
Left MP wants to fuck dissident - Cansin Köktürk only expresses more clearly what many leftists think
The headline suggests that some members of the Linken party in Germany are expressing extreme views toward 'Andersdenkende' (those who think differently), with reference to a statement by Cansin Köktürk. The phrasing implies a strong ideological stance and potential hostility toward opposing viewpoints.
From student protests to violence - Old patterns, New France
The headline suggests a shift from student protests to violent excesses, implying a pattern of unrest in France. It references 'alte Muster' (old patterns), indicating a recurrence of similar situations, while mentioning 'Neues Frankreich' (New France), which could suggest a changing political or social landscape. The title appears to critique the escalation of protest movements into violence, possibly highlighting concerns over youth activism and societal stability.
Political professor suspected of extremism - Christian Stecker said JehovaJehovah
A professor of politics, Christian Stecker, has come under suspicion of extremism due to his use of the term 'Jehovah' in some of his work or statements. The article suggests that this usage has raised concerns or questions about his views, though no further details are provided.
Midterm elections in the United States - The settlement
The headline 'Midterm-Wahlen in den USA - Die Abrechnung' translates to 'Midterm Elections in the US - The Settlement.' It suggests a narrative framing the midterm elections as a form of reckoning or judgment, potentially implying a critical assessment of current political leadership or policies. As there is no body text available, the analysis is limited to the headline and source information.
Three years after October 7th - Cynical theories and the end of the West
The headline references the anniversary of October 7th, likely referring to a significant historical event, and suggests the emergence of cynical theories about the decline of the West. The title implies a critical perspective on current geopolitical trends and potential shifts in Western influence.
Sepp Müller in the portrait - the central bulwark
The headline 'Sepp Müller im Porträt - Bollwerk der Mitte' appears to focus on Sepp Müller, likely a political figure in Germany, portraying him as a central or stabilizing force ('Bollwerk der Mitte'). The title suggests a profile piece emphasizing his role as a centrist or moderate figure within the political landscape. Without additional content, the summary is limited to the headline’s implication.
Russia votes for new parliament in controlled elections
Russia held parliamentary elections on Saturday, marking the first such event since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022. The elections, which are seen as a referendum on President Vladimir Putin's ongoing military campaign, are dominated by pro-war parties, with the opposition banned from participating. Over 110 million Russians are eligible to vote for 450 members of the State Duma, where Putin's United Russia party is expected to maintain its majority. Voting also took place in occupied Ukrainian regions like Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhia, and Kherson, despite these areas not being under full Russian control and the annexation being unrecognized internationally. Ukrainian officials condemned the move as illegal and warned of potential legal repercussions for foreign entities supporting the elections.
State of the FDP - Can Kubicki save the party?
The article discusses the current state of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Germany, focusing on the leadership of Wolfgang Kubicki since May. It highlights concerns over potential further losses in Berlin and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, with the party's future now dependent on results in two other federal states and a cultural conflict issue. The piece references a campaign slogan used by the Berlin FDP, which underscores their dilemma: if all their doubters voted for them, they could secure 10 percent of the vote. This reflects a strategic challenge faced by the party as it tries to regain relevance in local elections.
After six years, out for Böhmermann show at ZDF.
The ZDF has announced the end of Jan Böhmermann’s late-night show 'ZDF Magazin Royale' after six years. Despite criticisms of his sometimes unscrupulous investigative methods, the broadcaster intends to continue working with him. The decision was communicated to staff, and plans for future projects remain uncertain. Böhmermann’s production company will continue under new ownership structure, with 40% held by his firm and 60% by a ZDF subsidiary. His show often sparked controversy due to unsubstantiated allegations, including accusations against former BSI chief Arne Schönbohm, which were later dismissed by courts. While ZDF acknowledges his contributions and expresses interest in continuing collaboration, recent negotiations have led to reduced episode numbers and lessened ties between Böhmermann and the network.