GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1947
Ownership
Der Spiegel is published by the SPIEGEL-Verlag Rudolf Augstein GmbH & Co. KG, part of the privately held Spiegel-Gruppe. Control is unusually decentralised: the employee partnership Spiegel-Mitarbeiter KG (Beteiligungsgesellschaft der SPIEGEL-Mitarbeiter) holds 50.5%, a stake founder Rudolf Augstein gifted to staff in 1974 and topped up by half a percent in his will. The heirs of founder Rudolf Augstein hold roughly 24% and the publishing house Gruner + Jahr (RTL Group/Bertelsmann sphere) holds about 25.5%. The Rudolf Augstein Stiftung is a separate charitable foundation, not the controlling owner.
Funding
Funded commercially through magazine and digital subscriptions, newsstand sales and advertising; Spiegel-Mitarbeiter KG and thus the staff are entitled to half of the group's profits. No state or party money.
Affiliation & stance
Editorially independent and centre-left/liberal in stance, with no party, church or state control. Because a majority is held by its own employees and the founding family rather than any political or government interest, it is INDEPENDENT.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 550
64/100
Factual
61/100
Objective
989
Articles
989
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
Saudi Arabia: Houthis report attacks in Riyadh, Turkey and Pakistan send soldiers
Explosions shook Saudi Arabia's capital, Riyadh, and pro-Iranian Houthi militants claimed attacks on infrastructure. Following an emergency meeting, two allies of Riyadh announced plans to send troops to support the kingdom.
The AfD in Saxony-Anhalt: the extreme right and its henchmen
In Sachsen-Anhalt wird am Dienstag ein neuer Landtag gewählt, der möglicherweise eine Regierung mit Vertretern der AfD und BSW bilden könnte. Die AfD erreichte 43,8 Prozent der Zweitstimmen und benötigt drei zusätzliche Sitze für eine absolute Mehrheit. Die Artikel analysiert die Mitglieder der AfD- und BSW-Fraktion, beschreibt sie als rechtsradikal und mit Verbindungen zu Neonazis, Putinsupportern und Vetternwirtschaft. Ulrich Siegmund, ein prominenter AfD-Politiker, wird als potenzieller Ministerpräsident diskutiert, und seine Verbindungen zur Vetternwirtschaft sowie seine Rolle bei einem 'Remigrationstreffen' werden hervorgehoben. Oliver Kirchner, Fraktionsvorsitzender der AfD, wird kritisiert wegen rassistischer Äußerungen und Verschwörungstheorien. Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, ein Islamwissenschaftler, wird als führendes Mitglied der rechten Flügel der AfD beschrieben.
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.
Gringo Mayer: Can language really be cool?
The headline 'Gringo Mayer: Kann Mundart wirklich cool sein?' from Der Spiegel raises a question about whether regional dialects ('Mundart') can be considered stylish or trendy. The article likely explores cultural perceptions of dialects in Germany, possibly discussing their role in identity, youth culture, or social trends. While the exact content is not provided, the headline suggests a discussion on the evolving status of regional languages and their acceptance in mainstream society.
RAF Fairford: Trump disagrees with Rubio after hastily withdrawing US bombers
The article reports on the sudden and hasty withdrawal of U.S. bombers from the UK's RAF Fairford airbase, which occurred over the weekend. The decision has sparked debate between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. Trump claimed there were threats, likely linked to Iran, and suggested the move was necessary, though he described the relocation as 'not too far away.' Rubio, however, expressed caution, stating the withdrawal wasn't directly tied to specific threats and emphasized that military rotations are routine. The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed that all bombers had returned to their home bases in the United States, contradicting Trump’s description. The situation highlights tensions and differing perspectives within the U.S. administration regarding security concerns and military strategy.
Trump accuses Tehran: FlyDubai co-pilot was apparently planning to attack Tel Aviv
A copilot aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv allegedly attempted to hijack the plane and crash it into Israel's Ben Gurion Airport. The incident occurred when the copilot attacked the pilot with an axe inside the cockpit. Despite sustaining serious injuries, the pilot managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to subdue the attacker. The aircraft was then landed safely in Saudi Arabia by a second crew member. The copilot, who reportedly comes from Oman, has been detained in the United Arab Emirates. Israeli authorities and UAE investigators believe this was an attempted terrorist attack. U.S. President Donald Trump accused Iran of being behind the incident, though U.S. Vice President JD Vance stated that there is currently no clear evidence linking Iran to the event. Investigations are ongoing.
Mecca Alliance: Turkey and Pakistan to send troops to Saudi Arabia
In response to attacks by the pro-Iranian Houthi militia in Yemen on Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan have decided to send troops to Saudi Arabia. The three countries announced this decision after an emergency meeting of the so-called Mecca Defense Alliance in Riyadh. The deployment will take place within the framework of the national laws of the three states. The meeting was triggered by an attack on a power distribution station in Medina, which supplies electricity to the Prophet's Mosque, one of the most important holy sites of Islam. The Saudi-led military coalition in Yemen stated that the Houthi group had attacked the facility. The Saudi defense minister spoke of solidarity and unity in the face of attacks on the kingdom and holy sites. In August, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Turkey signed a joint defense agreement under which an armed attack on any member state would be considered an attack on all three.
Award: Shida Bazyar has won the German Book Prize
The article announces that Shida Bazyar has won the German Book Prize. The headline highlights her achievement, but no further details about the book, its content, or the judging process are provided. The award is a significant recognition in German literature, typically awarded annually to a novel that stands out for its literary merit. The absence of additional information suggests the piece may be a brief announcement rather than an in-depth review or analysis.
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.
Covenant: US start-up plans to produce cruise missiles near Leipzig with money from Peter Thiel
The article appears to be an advertisement for SPIEGEL+ subscription services rather than a news piece. It offers different pricing plans for digital access, including a discounted rate for 52 weeks, and encourages users to subscribe for full access to content.
Russia: U.S. watches for possible outbreak after lab worker death
A 28-year-old employee at a plague research institute in Irkutsk, Russia, died after falling ill during work. The woman was hospitalized in the nearby town of Shelekhov and later passed away due to pneumonia, according to Russian authorities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States is closely monitoring the situation but does not see cause for panic. He mentioned that based on Russian reports, it appears the individual became infected within the laboratory, raising concerns about potential internal spread of the illness. Similarly, former President Donald Trump offered assistance to Russia.
And then Le Pen or Mélenchon dancing the financial pogo in the Élysée Palace
The article appears to be an advertisement for SPIEGEL+ digital subscription service rather than a news piece. It provides pricing options for new subscribers and current print subscribers looking to upgrade to digital access. The content does not include any substantive news reporting or analysis.
Sean Connery: Why the James Bond actor wanted to be spit on
During filming of the film classic 'The Name of the Rose,' actor Ron Perlman met his leading man Sean Connery. Initially, Perlman hesitated to spit in Connery's face, but this changed after a statement from the legendary actor.