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Elon Musk to sue German broadcaster ZDF over 'misleading' migrant protest report

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Elon Musk announced legal action against German broadcaster ZDF for a report he claims misrepresented his position on anti-migrant protests.
  • The report linked Musk to violent riots in Northern Ireland, which involved protests against migrants.
  • ZDF reportedly acknowledged its host's wording was "imprecise" and "misleading" while defending the segment's overall intent.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is taking legal action against German public broadcaster ZDF, accusing it of "outrageous lies" in a report that misrepresented his stance on anti-migrant protests. Musk stated on his social media platform X that the lawsuit targets a segment that linked him to violent riots in Northern Ireland.

Legal action is being taken against ZDF for their outrageous lies.

— Elon MuskElon Musk announced his intention to sue German broadcaster ZDF via a post on his social media platform X.

The riots, which occurred last week in Belfast following a stabbing incident involving a migrant suspect, saw hundreds of people protesting and engaging in destructive behavior. Reports indicate that British far-right figures, including Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson) and Rupert Lowe, encouraged these protests. Musk had previously shared posts from these individuals on his X account, advocating for repeated and loud protests to achieve change.

Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!

— Elon MuskMusk shared this statement alongside posts from far-right figures encouraging protests, indicating his support for such actions.

ZDF's news program ZDFheute live broadcast a segment on the riots, with the anchor describing the events as a "racist mob went on a hunt for migrants" and stating, "This was called for by a British right-wing extremist and tech millionaire Elon Musk." A clip of this introduction was shared online, drawing criticism.

A racist mob went on a hunt for migrants. This was called for by a British right-wing extremist and tech millionaire Elon Musk.

— ZDF AnchorThis quote is from the introduction of ZDF's news segment covering the Belfast riots, as shared by journalist Julian Reichelt.

Following the controversy, a statement attributed to ZDF appeared to concede that the host's choice of words was "imprecise" and "misleading." The broadcaster explained that the host intended to provide a brief summary of the complex situation and prior calls for protest at the beginning of a longer, nuanced program. However, the statement maintained the segment examined Musk's and other influencers' roles in the lead-up to the protests.

The wording chosen was imprecise and therefore misleading.

— ZDFThis statement, purportedly from ZDF, acknowledged issues with the host's phrasing in their report on the Belfast riots and Musk's alleged involvement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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