GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1945
Ownership
The Süddeutsche Zeitung was first published in Munich on 6 October 1945, the first newspaper licensed by the U.S. military administration in Bavaria. It was controlled for decades by five founding families until 2007, when most sold out to the Stuttgart-based Südwestdeutsche Medien Holding (SWMH), which today holds about 81% of the Süddeutscher Verlag, with founding-family descendants (notably the Friedmanns) retaining the remainder. SWMH's largest shareholder is Medien Union (around 47.5%).
Funding
It is financed commercially through subscriptions, a digital paywall, single-copy sales and advertising; it takes no state or party funding.
Affiliation & stance
SZ is a privately owned quality daily controlled by a commercial publishing holding with no party or state ownership, so it is INDEPENDENT. Its editorial line is liberal centre-left, matching the site's INDEPENDENT type and CENTER_LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Lean Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 420
75/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
598
Articles
579
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
Jeddeloh II shoots Heidenheim in the DFB-Pokal , which is a sensation .
In a stunning upset during the first round of the DFB-Pokal, the Regionalliga team SSV Jeddeloh II defeated the Bundesliga relegation candidate 1. FC Heidenheim 5-2. The match, played at the Oldenburger Marschweg-Stadion, saw Jeddeloh II capitalize on defensive errors by the struggling Heidenheim side. Coach Kristian Arambasic, who had previously suffered four consecutive losses in the DFB-Pokal, led his team to a dominant performance, scoring five goals while conceding two. The victory was highlighted by several impressive individual performances, including a goal from Marvin Pieringer and a hat-trick from Haris Hyseni. Heidenheim, which had been sparring with their coach Frank Schmidt due to a previous suspension, struggled throughout the match.
Malaika Mihambo: Out of season after injury in Katowice
German athlete Malaika Mihambo has been forced to end her season after sustaining an injury during a competition in Katowice. The article reports that the injury occurred during a major event, leading to her withdrawal from further competitions. Mihambo is a prominent figure in pole vaulting, and this setback comes at a critical time in her career. The article highlights the impact of the injury on her competitive schedule and future prospects. No specific details about the nature of the injury or medical assessments are provided.
In front of works councils: VW boss calls for unity: 'Everyone must play along'
On August 23, 2026, Volkswagen CEO Oliver Blume addressed employees ahead of extraordinary works councils meetings, urging unity amid significant cost-cutting measures and a global automotive industry crisis. Blume emphasized the need for collective effort during the next few years, stating that the company has initiated the largest transformation plan in its history. Employees had previously requested details about the cost-saving plans before the factory holidays. Blume highlighted challenges such as geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, regulatory changes, and weak markets, all impacting the company’s competitiveness. He acknowledged the critical financial situation, noting that while the current return on investment is stable, it is insufficient for long-term sustainability. The upcoming series of works council meetings across multiple locations will allow management to address concerns directly.
Mannheim against Kaiserslautern: Minister of the Interior and DFB criticize riots at the cup game
During a DFB Cup derby match between SV Waldhof Mannheim and 1. FC Kaiserslautern in Mannheim, violent fan clashes resulted in 85 injuries, including 35 police officers who were lightly injured. The German Football Association (DFB) announced an investigation into the incidents, emphasizing that dangerous behavior has no place in football. Security forces, including around 1,400 personnel from multiple regions, intervened to restore order after fans stormed the pitch and fireworks were fired into the stands. The event took place at a sold-out stadium with approximately 23,500 spectators, many of whom were supporters of both teams. The conflict between the two fan groups dates back to the early 1980s and involved pyrotechnics, firecrackers, and elaborate choreographies. The police are now investigating potential charges such as insults, assault, property damage, breach of the peace, attacks on police officers, and violations of the Explosives Act. Baden-Württemberg’s Interior Minister Manuel Hagel (CDU) condemned the violence.
Against Borussia Dortmund: FC Bayern Munich wins the Supercup with a score of 2:1
On August 22, 2026, FC Bayern Munich defeated Borussia Dortmund 2:1 in the Bundesliga Supercup, marking their first title of the new season. The match took place at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund before a sold-out crowd of 81,365. New signing Nathaniel Brown opened the scoring in the 28th minute, playing in the position usually occupied by Jamal Musiala, who was not included in the starting XI due to recent form issues. Michael Olise extended Bayern's lead in the second half, while Fábio Silva reduced the deficit for Dortmund. Despite being down to ten men after Ramy Bensebaini received a red card in stoppage time, Dortmund failed to equalize as Maximilian Beier missed a crucial chance. The victory showcased Bayern's strong start under coach Vincent Kompany and highlighted the performance of several national team players, including Brown, Joshua Kimmich, Jonathan Tah, and Aleksandar Pavlović, in front of new national team manager Jürgen Klopp.
Handball: Magdeburg wins the Supercup against the Berlin Foxes
The handball team Magdeburg has won the Supercup against their rivals, the Füchse Berlin. The match took place in a competitive setting, highlighting the intensity of the competition between these two teams. This victory marks a significant achievement for Magdeburg, reinforcing their position as a strong contender in the sport. The game was closely followed by fans and analysts alike, who noted the strategic plays and performances throughout the match.
Before the elections in Saxony-Anhalt: coffee with Mr Siegmund?
Four weeks before the state election in Saxony-Anhalt, leading candidates from various parties participated in a televised debate hosted by MDR titled 'Fakt ist! Wahlarena,' where they addressed questions from the public on topics ranging from education, gas supply, migration, war, and peace. The discussion focused heavily on concerns regarding democracy, societal division, and the future role of the AfD, which leads in opinion polls with over 40 percent support. One audience member questioned why the CDU would maintain a 'firewall' against the AfD if they wanted to engage with their voters. The CDU’s Minister President, Sven Schulze, stated he had no intention of cooperating with the AfD but emphasized his willingness to talk to its supporters. The AfD’s candidate, Ulrich Siegmund, described a sense of optimism among his supporters, while Left Party candidate Eva von Angern warned against falling into the AfD’s narrative of victimhood. Education was another major topic, particularly the AfD’s proposal to replace compulsory schooling with a compulsory education mandate, which Siegmund argued could benefit children facing extreme bullying at school. Other issues included university
Iran War: Trump's second gift to China
The article discusses the impact of U.S.-imposed sanctions on Iran and their geopolitical implications, particularly in relation to China. It notes that Iran has long been under Western sanctions and remains resilient despite President Trump’s threats of economic pressure. China, being the main buyer of Iranian oil, has not shown support for Trump’s actions against Iran. The piece frames Trump’s policies as strategically beneficial to China, suggesting that by weakening Ukraine and tying up U.S. military resources in the Gulf, Trump inadvertently strengthens China’s position. The article also highlights the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China, noting that Trump’s first trade war against China was unsuccessful. It concludes that both sides engage in prolonged strategic games, with Iran maintaining leverage through the Strait of Hormuz.
This is a serious danger for Germany
The article titled 'Das ist eine ernsthafte Gefahr für Deutschland' from Süddeutsche Zeitung warns about a serious threat to Germany. While the specific nature of the danger is not detailed in the provided excerpt, the headline suggests a significant concern related to national security or societal stability. The piece likely discusses issues such as migration policies, economic challenges, or external threats that could impact Germany’s future. As the article emphasizes a grave risk, it reflects a tone of urgency and caution. However, without further content, the exact subject remains unclear.
The Commission has decided to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 93 (2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid for the construction of a new nuclear power station in the Federal Republic of Germany.
The article announces an auction for property number Steinstraße 10 in Grünheide (Mark), published by Süddeutsche Zeitung's real estate market section. The listing appears to be a standard announcement for property sale, likely including details such as price, terms, and conditions. As there is no additional information provided, the summary reflects only the content explicitly stated in the article. No further context or commentary is included.
Protection of institutions: Federal Council prepares for AfD government
The article discusses concerns within the German federal council (Bundesrat) regarding potential influence by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party if it gains power in Saxony-Anhalt after the September 6 regional election. Bundesratspräsident Andreas Bovenschulte (SPD) states that while the AfD's presence could be felt politically, he does not foresee significant disruptions to the legislative process. He emphasizes that democratic forces are likely to prevail and stresses the need for continued efforts to prevent an AfD-led government. The AfD currently leads in opinion polls in Saxony-Anhalt ahead of the CDU, which holds the current leadership. Bovenschulte notes that the Bundesrat has already updated its rules of procedure to enhance stability and prevent potential challenges to the constitutional order, though these changes were not specifically aimed at the AfD but rather became necessary after over three decades. The article highlights procedural adjustments designed to limit opportunities for far-right politicians to gain influence within the Bundesrat.
World Cup gold for show jumping: This is the beautiful end of a long road
At the Reit-Weltmeisterschaft in Aachen, Germany, the German equestrian team won gold in show jumping after a three-day competition. The victory marked the end of a long journey for the team, led by head coach Andreas Becker, who had previously experienced similar success in 2008. The team consisted of four riders, Marcus Ehning, Daniel Deußer, Richard Galli, and Sophie Hinners, each bringing unique strengths to the group. Despite challenges such as the absence of Olympic champion Christian Kukuk and the late inclusion of Ehning, the team managed to dominate all three days of competition. This win also served as redemption for Ehning, who had previously failed at the same event 20 years earlier.
Saxony-Anhalt: Bishop of Magdeburg warns Christians against voting for the AfD
The Catholic Bishop of Magdeburg, Gerhard Feige, has urged voters in Saxony-Anhalt to carefully consider the programs of the parties before the upcoming regional election. He warned against making impulsive decisions and emphasized that while Christians can choose different ideological paths, extremism is unacceptable. Feige specifically cautioned against a strong showing by the AfD, citing potential negative impacts on cultural institutions, schools, social services, and economic stability. Meanwhile, Charlotte Knobloch, leader of the Jewish Community in Munich and Bavaria, compared the rise of the AfD to historical Nazi tactics, arguing that the party’s growing radicalization mirrors pre-war extremist movements. The AfD is classified as 'certainly far-right' in Saxony-Anhalt and leads in opinion polls ahead of the September 6 election.