GermanyOwnership & classification
Founded: 1978
Ownership
taz (die tageszeitung) was founded in 1978 in Berlin out of the alternative/left-wing scene. Facing insolvency or a commercial takeover in the early 1990s, it converted to a reader-owned publishing cooperative (taz Verlagsgenossenschaft eG), formalised in 1992, now comprising many thousands of member-shareholders. No single owner, company, party or investor controls it; it is governed collectively by its cooperative and staff.
Funding
It is funded primarily by subscriptions, cooperative shares and reader donations, deliberately minimising reliance on advertising (only a small share of income); it receives no state or party subsidy.
Affiliation & stance
taz is openly left-wing and green-leaning in its editorial stance, but it is reader-/employee-owned through a cooperative with no party, union or state control, which makes it INDEPENDENT. This confirms the site's INDEPENDENT type and LEFT lean.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 972
76/100
Factual
68/100
Objective
1113
Articles
1092
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
Animal welfare union sues Germany: So many animals
The animal shelter Osterode, along with three other shelters and the German Animal Welfare Federation (Tierschutzbund), has filed a lawsuit against Germany, arguing that the state has a legal obligation under the Basic Law to protect animals and provide financial support. The shelters claim they lack space and funding to care for increasing numbers of animals, with costs rising while resources remain limited. They cite the Basic Law’s provision stating that the state must protect natural living conditions and animals for future generations. The shelters describe their current situation as dire, with many animals unable to be accommodated and staff working for minimum wage without adequate compensation. The lawsuit emphasizes the need for government intervention to address the growing crisis in animal welfare.
Doubtful video evidence in the World Cup final:
The article discusses doubts surrounding a potential incorrect offside decision in the FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. A research by Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ) questions the accuracy of FIFA’s graphics used to determine the offside call, suggesting they may have been manipulated or contain errors. The report highlights inconsistencies such as different hand and arm positions in the graphics compared to the actual footage, and a misaligned vertical distortion calculation. These concerns extend beyond this single incident, raising broader issues about the transparency and reliability of FIFA’s semi-automated offside technology. The article also critiques the perceived bias against Argentina during the tournament, especially considering the host nation and Messi’s home country. It further argues that while technology like VAR has improved precision, it remains subjective and prone to human error, calling for a more serious debate around AI in football.
Who will stay in Saxony-Anhalt if the AfD wins?
The article discusses concerns among residents of Saxony-Anhalt regarding the potential victory of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in upcoming state elections. Many people, particularly LGBTQ+ individuals and those with migration backgrounds, fear the implications of an AfD win and are questioning whether they should stay or leave. The podcast episode features Sophie Fichtner speaking with David Muschenich, the taz correspondent for Saxony-Anhalt, about these fears and challenges. Additionally, the article highlights the struggles faced by children with autism in schools, focusing on a seven-year-old girl who attended school only 11 days last year due to questionable decisions by local authorities. The piece also mentions the taz's collaboration with 'Alles beginnt im Zentrum,' a campaign supporting leftist, self-managed communities across Germany.
A friend has a friend has a friend
Roland Manz, ein Lottogeschäftsinhaber am Bodensee, engagiert sich ehrenamtlich für die Ukraine. Er beschreibt seine Motivation als persönliche Erfahrung mit der Flucht seiner Mutter während des Zweiten Weltkriegs. Manz beteiligt sich an der Initiative 'Lindau hilft', die seit 19 Mal Hilfsgüter in die Ukraine transportiert hat. In einem Interview spricht er über seine Reisen, die Herausforderungen der Transporte und die Bedeutung seiner Arbeit. Er zeigt persönliche Gegenstände aus der Ukraine, darunter Geschenke von Soldaten, und betont die Not der Menschen dort.
FIFA crisis: Pressure on Infantino is mounting
The article discusses growing pressure on FIFA President Gianni Infantino amid internal conflicts within football governing bodies. Fifteen African federations have distanced themselves from Infantino, while UEFA and CONCACAF plan a joint Nations League without FIFA involvement. The article cites anonymous sources suggesting that Mattias Grafström, FIFA’s Secretary General, initially opposed Infantino’s privatization plans but later relented, leading some African leaders to consider him a potential candidate for the 2027 FIFA presidency. Sheikh Salman of the Asian Football Confederation is mentioned as a possible rival. Infantino had proposed selling 20% of World Cup stakes to raise $4.2 billion through a new entity, which sparked protests and boycott threats from major confederations. He has since backed down. The planned Nations League would include all 96 nations and could take place as early as 2028, further challenging Infantino’s authority. The article also notes concerns over environmental impact due to travel. It concludes by referencing the rise of far-right forces in Germany and calls for solidarity.
Africa vs. Infantino: This is really big
The article reports on growing criticism against FIFA President Gianni Infantino, particularly from African football associations who have distanced themselves from him and joined a global protest movement. This movement includes fan groups from Europe, Africa, and North America demanding more democratic reforms within FIFA and greater fan involvement. The article highlights that Infantino has faced increasing opposition due to his concentration of power, frequent unilateral decisions, and perceived authoritarian tendencies. While some see this as a potential turning point for reforming FIFA, the article notes that many of the involved parties are primarily motivated by financial interests rather than ideological change. It also mentions that potential alternatives like Bahrain’s ruling family face their own controversies. The piece concludes by emphasizing the need for solidarity and civil society engagement amid rising right-wing influence in Germany.
Jan Gerber's book Refugee Point Entebbe: Anti-Semitic resentments, necessarily concealed by the government
The article discusses the historical actions of radical leftist groups in Germany during the 1970s and 1980s, particularly their antisemitic tendencies linked to anti-Zionism. It references two notable attacks: a 1969 bombing attempt by the Tupamaros targeting a Jewish community center in West Berlin and a 1991 bomb attack near Budapest aimed at a bus carrying Soviet Jews traveling to Israel. Both incidents failed to cause casualties but highlight the ideological connections between militant leftist organizations and Palestinian movements. The book 'Fluchtpunkt Entebbe' by Jan Gerber explores these connections and argues that the legacy of this ideology remains relevant today, especially in relation to contemporary Israeli-Palestinian tensions. The author emphasizes the collaboration between German militants and Palestinian groups, including training received in their camps.
Bank run in Russia: Money in the jar
The article discusses a significant withdrawal of money from Russian banks by citizens, driven by economic instability and concerns over state financial mismanagement. It highlights the broader implications of this bank run, linking it to the ongoing war economy and the potential conversion of savings into state-controlled war bonds. The piece frames the withdrawals as a form of protest against President Vladimir Putin, suggesting they represent a 'vote with the heart' against his leadership. The article also connects this trend to growing support for far-right parties like the AfD in Germany, emphasizing the need for solidarity and civil society engagement.
The Women's Bundesliga: Courage and ambition
In the opening match of the Women's Bundesliga, Union Berlin faced off against Bayern Munich and lost 1:4. Despite the loss, Union's strong performance suggested potential competitiveness in the title race. The article notes that Bayern's victory has dampened hopes for an exciting championship, as previous top teams like Wolfsburg and Eintracht Frankfurt have consistently placed well in European competitions. Union aims to secure a top-five finish, with coach Marie-Louise Eta employing a possession-based strategy. While Union struggled in the second half, their first-half display showed they were not entirely outmatched.
Turn-EM and the Ukrainian War: A Chilly Mood
The article discusses the emotional and political tensions at the European Men's Artistic Gymnastics Championships (Turn-EM), where two athletes of Ukrainian descent and one Russian competed in the vault final. The event highlighted the ongoing impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, particularly on athletes like Ilia Kovtun, who fled his homeland and now competes for Croatia. Kovtun, previously representing Ukraine, won silver at the Olympics but was denied by the Ukrainian gymnastics federation to switch national teams. At the Turn-EM, he competed under the Croatian flag and won gold in the all-around competition, though the atmosphere during the medal ceremony was subdued. The Russian competitors were identified under the abbreviation 'WG2' due to sanctions against Russia, a decision influenced by the German Gymnastics Federation.
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.
Infrastructure for bicycles: the town of Strampel am Neckar
The article discusses Tübingen's success in promoting cycling infrastructure, highlighting its heated bike bridge, extensive bike paths, and increased bicycle usage. It contrasts Tübingen's progress with neighboring cities like Stuttgart and Münster, noting higher percentages of trips made by bike. The city has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure since 2020, including heated bike lanes and parking facilities, supported by federal and state funding. Local officials, including those from the Green Party faction, support these initiatives. However, challenges remain, such as inadequate bike lanes on certain streets.
War in Ukraine: Lavrov wants to continue to destroy
The article discusses Russia's rejection of a ceasefire in the Black Sea and its intention to intensify attacks against targets supporting Ukraine's war efforts. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow would 'clearly sharpen' its methods to destroy infrastructure aiding Ukraine's military supply lines from the West. Both Russia and Ukraine have increased attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea, driving up global grain prices. The Russian Ministry of Defense reported attacks on a railway station in the port city of Izmail and two tugboats near Mykolaiv, which were allegedly involved in transporting military equipment and fuel. The article also mentions the potential success of the far-right AfD party in upcoming state elections, highlighting growing influence of right-wing forces, and promotes a campaign by the newspaper 'taz' supporting leftist community initiatives.