The awarding of the prestigious Hanns-Joachim Friedrichs Prize to ARD correspondent Sophie von der Tann, stationed in Israel, has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with Israel’s Ambassador to Germany, Ron Prosor, publicly condemning the decision as symptomatic of a troubling bias within German media. Prosor accused von der Tann of minimizing the actions of Hamas militants, referring to them as “militant Palestinians” shortly after the October 7th attacks, a characterization he argues demonstrates a dangerous lack of objectivity.
In a statement to “Welt”, Prosor expressed a stark view of the current media landscape, suggesting the “demonization of Israel” has become a readily accessible path to accolades. He lamented the apparent disregard for the principles championed by Hanns-Joachim Friedrichs himself, a journalist renowned for his commitment to neutrality and factual reporting. “Friedrichs always said that journalists should not align themselves with any cause” Prosor pointed out, adding that this core tenet is consistently abandoned when it comes to coverage of Israel.
The prize, to be shared equally with ARD correspondent Katharina Willinger, based in Istanbul/Tehran, will be presented on December 4, 2025, in Cologne, hosted by the WDR broadcaster. While the stated purpose of the award is to recognize excellence in international reporting, Prosor’s criticism raises profound questions about the potential for ideological bias to influence journalistic decision-making and the broader perception of Israel within German media. The incident is likely to fuel ongoing debates surrounding media responsibility and the nuanced representation of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the German press and casts a shadow over the award’s credibility.