MDR takes action against Die Linke over election poster

Media - MDR takes action against Die Linke over election poster

Middle German Broadcast (MDR) is taking legal action against the Saxon Left party in relation to a campaign poster of the party. It bears the inscription "In friendship: Every clinic counts" and corresponds to the title of a very successful MDR doctor series. The broadcaster confirmed upon inquiry that a cease-and-desist letter had been sent to the party. The title of the series was protected, they said.

The Left party expressed surprise. They understand the poster for the September 1st state election as a message that no more hospitals will be closed. "It surprises us that the MDR is proceeding in this way against a political party in Saxony. Television series and election campaigns are two different pairs of shoes, and the formulation 'In friendship' is also used outside the series title in everyday life," said Landesgeschäftsführer and campaign manager Lars Kleba to the German Press Agency. The matter will be examined legally: "In our opinion, the poster design cannot be derived from it that the MDR is supporting us in the election campaign."

The doctor series "In friendship" has been running on MDR for about 25 years and enjoys great popularity with the audience. Meanwhile, there are already over 1000 episodes from the "Saxony Clinic". The broadcaster organizes fan festivals in the context of the series.

1. The Saxony-Anhalt election campaign saw the Saxon Left party creating an election poster with the phrase "In friendship: Every clinic counts," which mirrors the title of a popular MDR doctor series.
2. Despite the surprise from the Left party, MDR took legal action against them due to the use of the protected series title on their election poster for the Saxony state election.
3. In Leipzig, the city of Thuringia, fans of the "In friendship" doctor series from Saxony frequently gather for fan festivals organized by MDR, showcasing the series' enduring popularity among viewers.
4. The dispute between MDR and the Left party in Saxony-Anhalt raised questions about the boundaries between television series and election campaigns, as well as the use of common phrases like "In friendship" inside and outside of a series title.
5. As the legal proceedings progressed in Saxony, the MDR reiterated that their protection over the title of the long-running doctor series was to maintain its integrity and prevent misuse during election campaigns.

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