Die Tageszeitung
Die Tageszeitung (German: [diː ˈtaːɡəsˌtsaɪtʊŋ], "The Daily Newspaper"), stylized as die tageszeitung and commonly referred to as taz, is a German daily newspaper. It is run as a cooperative – it is administered by its employees and a co-operative of shareholders who invest in a free independent press, rather than to depend on advertising and paywalls.[2]
Type
taz, die tageszeitung Verlagsgenossenschaft eG
Barbara Junge,
Ulrike Winkelmann
1978
German
Founded in 1978 in Berlin as part of an independent, progressive and politically left-leaning movement, it has focused on current politics, social issues such as inequality, ecological crises both local and international, and other topics not covered by the more traditional and conservative newspapers. It mostly supports the alternative green political sphere and the German Green Party, but Die Tageszeitung has also been critical of the SPD/Greens coalition government (1998–2005).[3] It is one of Germany's most important newspapers and amongst the top seven.[4] It is being described as "alternative-left" and critical of existing current structures (systemkritisch).[5][6]
The newspaper's logo, a paw print, derives from the similarity of the name "taz" to a German word for paw, Tatze. Its position in the media landscape varies between the fifth and the sixth most read newspaper of Germany. In 2021 taz overtook for the first time the conservative Die Welt as the fifth most read daily newspaper of Germany.[7]
Structure[edit]
The newspaper is supported by a cooperative under German law. Many readers help finance the newspaper.[21] taz employees are paid under the collective agreement for newspapers in Germany.[22]
"Potato Affair"[edit]
On 26 June 2006 Die Tageszeitung published a satirical article on its last page, headlined Die Wahrheit (the truth) that is reserved for satire and nonsense. It was titled "The new potato of Poland. Rogues who want to rule the world. Today: Lech 'Katsche' Kaczynski".[23] This article ridiculed President of Poland Lech Kaczyński and Prime Minister of Poland Jarosław Kaczyński. Lech Kaczyński then cancelled talks that were scheduled between Germany, Poland and France (the Weimar Triangle), officially for reasons of sickness.
The taz is noted for its tongue-in-cheek headlines,[24] such as:
On 5 June 2008, the paper published a picture headlined "Onkel Baracks Hütte" (Uncle Barack's Cabin) with a picture of the White House below the headline as part of an article about then-Senator Barack Obama. That headline, which made reference to the book Uncle Tom's Cabin, was perceived as racist by some of its readership.[25]
taz Panter Foundation[edit]
The taz Panter Foundation is a legally capable foundation based in Berlin. The legal form of a foundation makes it possible to separate non-profit activities from the business activities of taz and to further expand them with the help of supporters. It was established in 2008 to award the taz Panter Prize, which has been presented since 2005 [26] [27]
The taz Panter Foundation is currently working on several goals: It regularly holds international workshops to qualify foreign colleagues, who mainly come from countries where press freedom is under threat.[28][29] The Panter Foundation also provides journalistic trainings and further education programs, especially for younger people.[30]