- Criticism of the nationality of suspects: "Danger"
The intention of the North Rhine-Westphalian Ministry of the Interior to henceforth generally mention the nationality of suspects in media statements on criminal offenses has sparked skepticism and criticism. The German Journalists' Association (DJV) and the State Integration Council warn of potential stigmatization of people of foreign origin. However, the FDP opposition in the Düsseldorf state parliament welcomes the initiative by NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU).
The Integration Council considered the planned amendment to the police media guidelines "problematic and dangerous". While the Düsseldorf Ministry of the Interior aims to provide transparency and counter speculation with the revision, it could actually strengthen prejudices and racist stereotypes, the state association warned. "Mentioning the nationality of suspects creates the impression among the population that this is decisive for criminal behavior," which could endanger social cohesion.
Three factors influence criminal behavior
Studies have shown that criminality is primarily influenced by three key factors: social status, gender, and age - not origin or migration, the Integration Council argued. While people from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds are disproportionately involved in crimes, inequalities in education, income, and living conditions promote criminal behavior. Furthermore, statistics show that men, especially young men, commit crimes disproportionately. However, this also applies regardless of origin.
The DJV also expressed concern: "It would be better to continue weighing the public interest and the protection of minorities carefully in each individual case and decide on that basis whether to mention the nationality," commented state manager Volkmar Kah on the plans of the Ministry of the Interior. This should only happen for well-founded public interest - as recommended by the Press Code of the German Press Council.
Who guarantees careful consideration in social media?
Journalists already weigh this carefully, Kah said. However, the problem is how the information that citizens, for example, reach the police directly via their own social media channels is handled. This increases the responsibility of the authorities. Not mentioning the nationality in general and refraining from weighing the interests of the public and the protection of the affected parties "would not be a good way," Kah warned.
The Düsseldorf Ministry of the Interior had justified its initiative this week with a transparency offensive. The police in NRW want to anticipate speculation and counter the accusation of wanting to hide something. "Also, because there are increasingly frequent journalistic inquiries about the nationality in cases of criminal offenses, a revision of the 2011 guidelines appears necessary."
FDP: "show the public that nothing is being hidden"
The FDP opposition agreed. "Transparency is a crucial element in strengthening the trust of the population in the security authorities," emphasized the interior policy spokesman of the state parliament fraction, Marc Lürbke. "It is an important step to show the public that nothing is being hidden."
The Integration Council argued that mentioning the nationality of suspects could strengthen prejudices and racist stereotypes, as it creates an impression that nationality is the primary factor in criminal behavior, which could potentially harm social cohesion. Despite this, studies have shown that criminality is primarily influenced by factors such as social status, gender, and age, not origin or migration.
Despite concerns raised by the DJV and others, the FDP opposition in the Düsseldorf state parliament supports the NRW Interior Minister's initiative, believing that transparency is crucial in strengthening the trust of the population in security authorities and countering accusations of hiding information.
