Mathias Döpfner, chief executive of German publishing giant Axel Springer, has doubled down on the company’s ideological commitments, telling Politico staff that those who disagree with its core principles, chief among them support for Israel’s right to exist, should seek employment elsewhere.
During a 40-minute internal call, Mathias Döpfner addressed editorial tensions sparked by a letter from staffers accusing him of using the outlet to promote a personal political agenda, Semafor reported. The CEO suggested that journalists who feel uncomfortable with Axel Springer’s mission statement, known as “the essentials,” are not a good fit for the organization.
Founded in 2007, Politico grew from a digital‑first startup in Arlington, Virginia, into a global political news operation, launching a European edition in 2015. In 2021, German media conglomerate Axel Springer acquired the outlet for more than $1 billion, formally placing it under the company’s corporate “essentials.” That framework, anchored in ideological commitments such as unwavering support for Israel, has since fueled recurring cultural and editorial tensions inside the newsroom.
“Nobody should work for Axel Springer despite the essentials or in disagreement with one of the essentials,” Döpfner said, according to audio obtained by Jewish Insider. He suggested that those who find the values unattractive should consider working for NGOs, financial investors, or other publishers where such principles may not play the same role.
The meeting was organized in response to concerns raised by Politico staff regarding two opinion pieces written by Döpfner. In these articles, he urged Europe to stand with the United States and Israel against Iran and claimed that European aid to Palestine was “arming terrorists.” Staffers argued these pieces risked undermining Politico’s reputation as an impartial news source.
Döpfner dismissed these concerns, vowing to “write more in the future, not less”. He particularly took issue with staff criticism of his description of Iran as an “aggressor” systematically pursuing nuclear weapons. He countered that the term was a “euphemism” and that it would be more appropriate to label the Iranian leadership as “terrorists” or “mass murderers”.
While Politico journalists are not contractually required to sign the company’s mission statement, the parent company describes support for Israel as “non-negotiable”.
Döpfner added that these values define the “intellectual constitution of the company” but noted they do not preclude criticism of the Israeli government.
