Christine Kroeger

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Christine Kröger (2006)

Christine Kröger (born April 7, 1968 in Cloppenburg ) is a German journalist and editor . Since the end of the 1990s she has been working for various newspapers of the Bremer Tageszeitungen AG , since 2010 as chief reporter and head of the " Research and Training" department of the Bremer Weser-Kurier . She has received several awards for her investigative achievements as well as for "her courageous and professional educational work over the years about the new Nazis in Germany".

Life

Christine Kröger grew up in Cloppenburg in Lower Saxony and graduated from the Liebfrauenschule there. She then studied law at the University of Osnabrück from 1987 to 1988 and then moved to the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität in Münster , where she studied journalism , politics , economic policy and Romance studies until 1995 .

From 1995 to 1997 Kröger completed a traineeship at the Nordwest-Zeitung in Oldenburg . From 1998 to 1999 she was press spokeswoman at the Chamber of Crafts for East Friesland in Aurich . She has been working for Bremer Tageszeitungen AG since 1999; Until 2010 she worked as an editor for the daily newspapers Weser-Kurier , Bremer Nachrichten and Verdener Nachrichten , which appear there. Kröger worked primarily for the departments “Lower Saxony (Land und People)”, “Politics” and “Reportage”, her work focussing on the topics of right-wing extremism and the Nazi past , agricultural and consumer policy as well as maritime affairs. From 2006 to 2010 she headed the Lower Saxony - Editor of the Weser-Kurier .

Since May 1, 2010, she has been chief reporter at Weser-Kurier and at the same time took over the management of the “Research and Training” department. Since then, her main focus has been on right-wing extremism, rocker crime and organized crime .

Special journalistic topics

Research on right-wing extremism

Kröger has been researching and reporting on right-wing extremism and the rocker scene in northern Germany in particular since the early 2000s . She writes about neo-Nazis , hooligans and the Hells Angels, among others . Her research was triggered in 2003 when the London- based Wilhelm Tietjen Foundation for Fertilization Ltd. acquired the Heisenhof in Dörverden near Bremen and it became publicly known that the right-wing extremist Jürgen Rieger was behind this "Foundation for Fertility Research" . The purchase of the former Bundeswehr site by the right-wing extremist lawyer Rieger from Hamburg, who has since passed away, made headlines across the country , and "with it, the topic of right-wing extremism moved into the middle of the 'Weser-Kurier' distribution area". Kröger then dealt with further "right-wing extremist activities" in the region.

The press house of the Bremer Tageszeitungen AG (including Weser-Kurier , Bremer Nachrichten )

She found support from the then deputy editor-in-chief and political department head of the Weser-Kurier , Hans-Günther Thiele (retired since 2005), as well as from the publisher Ulrich Hackmack , director of the Bremer Tageszeitungen AG. Since only little information could be obtained from government agencies such as the constitutional and state security, Kröger undertook her research mainly among the people at the scene and received information from committed citizens, anti-fascist initiatives, youth and social workers, parents, teachers and Students.

In the Weser-Kurier Kröger published since then numerous reports and background reports on the extreme right and rocker scene in the region. Your articles are now noticed nationwide; For example, she was awarded the Theodor Wolff Prize 2006, the renowned journalist prize of the German newspapers, for a report on the hooligan scene in Bremen .

Through research into personal overlaps between the neo-Nazi, hooligan and rocker scene, she also came across the Hells Angels. The motorcycle and rocker club is classified as organized crime, but has "in some places already arrived in the middle of society". Kröger made this clear, among other things, in 2008 with her reports on Frank Hanebuth , the president of the Hells Angels charter in Hanover and “godparents” of the red light district there . Kröger was one of the first to publicly criticize Hanebuth's connections to influential circles in the city as well as to local authorities and parties; Only then did the citizens and the local press rethink, and there were reactions from the interior ministries of several northern German states.

Kröger's work has been published in several publications; Among other things, she was the responsible editor and co-author of a brochure on neo-Nazi activities in Bremen and Lower Saxony, the right-wing extremist scene nationwide and the Nazi past in the region ( They march again ... , 2005) as well as a brochure on current right-wing extremist tendencies in of the company in Lower Saxony ( right-turn , 2008). In 2005, her guideline for action was published in good time against the right , in which she explains “why young people go online with neo-Nazis” and “what parents, teachers, media and politicians can do about it”.

For her commitment against right-wing extremism, she was awarded the 28th Culture and Peace Prize of the Villa Ichon in Bremen in March 2010  . Kröger is an “incorruptible chronicler of the dark side of our society”, said the journalist and former Stern reporter Gerhard Kromschröder in his laudation on the occasion of the award ceremony. Kromschröder, who became known as an investigative journalist with his covert research - among others among neo-Nazis and skinheads - praised Kröger's "straightforward and rock-solid research work", for which she always courageously stands up with her own name. Also in March 2010, Kröger was awarded the Guardian Prize of the German daily press , one of the most renowned journalist prizes in Germany. For her "persistent research in the rocker environment" she was awarded the second prize by the jury.

Weser Kurier dossiers from May 2010

The red light district at the Steintor in Hanover

In May 2010 Kröger reported in the Weser-Kurier about " affairs in the judiciary and police" in Lower Saxony and about "connections of 'Hell's Angels' in Hanover's 'better circles'". In three two-page dossiers as well as a front page report and other accompanying articles, she said she dealt with the “serious misconduct of a public prosecutor ” who got entangled in the Hanoverian red light district , the “explosive information from an ex-police spy ” and the “dubious machinations” of the “ Rocker bosses ” and “red light district patents ” from Hanover, Frank Hanebuth .

The publications triggered "a great response"; The dossiers were taken over by Zeit Online and several daily newspapers , radio stations , news agencies and online portals took up the topics and reported on them, citing the Weser-Kurier articles.

The "in the affair involved public prosecutors Hannover , Verden and Oldenburg remain silent," the Weser-Kurier , and referenced when requesting "after consequences of the revealed abuses" on their superior authority, the Attorney General's office in Celle . The head of the attorney general in Celle, attorney general Harald Range , was “outraged” and accused the Weser courier of “'one-sided reporting' that the newspaper had been eaten by a 'dodgy informant'”. Referring to the author of the dossier, Christine Kröger, Range was astonished that “an award-winning journalist attaches such great importance to old stories that have long been refuted and […] constructs a supposedly current legal scandal based on extremely dubious information”.

Kröger replied in the Weser-Kurier: " Range simply ignores the fact that the dossiers are largely based on memos and thus mainly cite public prosecutors and police officers ." "Range does not want to dismiss these officers as 'dodgy informants'", said Kröger further. That the suspicion dates back a long time is expressly pointed out in the dossiers. However, also on the fact that the suspected public prosecutors are still unmolested in office and dignity - and have now even been promoted to leading positions.

In May 2011, Kroger was in for her research in the Hanover red light district and its Weser-Kurier published dossier in doubt for the public prosecutor with the Henri Nannen Prize 2011 awarded. The award, which is considered to be one of the most important journalist prizes in the German-speaking region, was given to Kröger in the " Investigation " category.

Quote

“The fight against the right is not just a matter of 'big politics'. We all have to work against it. "

- Christine Kröger : Interview in Medium Magazin , 2008

Journalistic and other awards

Publications (selection)

brochures

  • Right turn. The underestimated danger: neo-Nazis in Lower Saxony . Editor / publisher: Bremer Tageszeitungen AG, Bremen 2008, ISBN 978-3-938795-05-7 (editors: Christine Kröger, Stefan Schölermann; texts: Christine Kröger, André Aden et al .; freely available online as a digital copy in the form of a PDF file ).
  • They are marching again ... Publisher: Bremer Tageszeitungen AG, Bremen 2005, ISBN 3-938795-00-X (Editor: Christine Kröger; Texts: Christine Kröger, Anke Landwehr, Hans-Günther Thiele and others).
  • In time against the right. Why young people go online with neo-Nazis - and what parents, teachers, media and politicians can do about it . BerlinDruck, Achim 2005, without ISBN (editing and texts: Christine Kröger; freely available online as a digital copy in the form of a PDF file).
  • Typical island. The seven East Frisian Islands and their people . Editor / publisher: Bremer Tageszeitungen AG, Bremen 2004, ISBN 3-938795-01-8 (texts and photos: Christine Kröger).

Newspaper and online articles

  • Childhood in brown . Network against Nazis , March 27, 2009.
  • Rockers put themselves in the right light. Right-wing extremists are also welcome at Frank Hanebuth's “Hell's Angels” in Hanover . Weser-Kurier, November 29, 2008, p. 16.
  • The long shadow of Frank H. The “Hell's Angels” are setting up in Hanover - and Hanover is with them . Weser-Kurier, November 28, 2008, p. 15.
  • "Angel" without honor. Criminal investigation expert clears up rocker myths . In: Weser-Kurier, July 1, 2008, p. 12.
  • Into business with violence. "Hell's Angels" market themselves as down-to-earth motorcycle rebels - the police regard them as organized criminals . Weser-Kurier, July 1, 2008, p. 12.
  • From the party to jail. Large-scale police operation against "Hell's Angels" / rockers are considered to be heavily armed . Weser-Kurier, June 9, 2008, p. 14. (With: Rose Gerdts-Schiffler)
  • Driving over corpses. Rocker war in the north: Was the murder of "Hell's Angel" revenge for the attack in Stuhr? Weser-Kurier, June 8, 2008, p. 16.
  • Violence also has a season ticket . Weser-Kurier, November 22, 2005.
  • How white are the vests of the bouncers? Authorities and disco operators in a clinch . Weser-Kurier, May 13, 2005.

Dossiers

  • In case of doubt for the public prosecutor. Prosecutors become entangled in the red light district . Weser-Kurier, May 14, 2010, front page. ( Lead article on the 1st dossier)
  • Sex, lies and video: How a public prosecutor gets entangled in Hanover's red-light district - and many public prosecutors cover the scandal (1st dossier) . Weser-Kurier, May 14, 2010, pp. 10–11.
  • The informant who knew too much: What Bernd Kirchner aka G06 learned in the Hanoverian red-light district brought criminals into trouble - but also police officers and public prosecutors (2nd dossier) . Weser-Kurier, May 15, 2010, pp. 12-14.
  • The long arm of the "Hell's Angels" . Kurier am Sonntag (Weser-Kurier), May 16, 2010. (Article accompanying the 3rd dossier)
  • Unbelievable: “Hell's Angels Hanover” are strikingly well-behaved - experts in organized crime are reminded of Italy (3rd dossier) . Kurier am Sonntag (Weser-Kurier), May 16, 2010, pp. 12-13.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Award for Christine Kröger. Peace and Culture Prize for a journalist from Bremen ( memento from March 14, 2010 in the Internet Archive ). On: Radio Bremen website , March 13, 2010.
  2. ↑ a b c Christine Kröger. Reporter Forum e. V., Hamburg, accessed on March 12, 2010 (short biography).
  3. ↑ a b c d Tina Groll: The underestimated danger. In: www.mediummagazin.de. Medium Magazin , p. 13 , accessed on August 29, 2012 (07/2008 edition, interview with Christine Kröger).
  4. ↑ a b c d Sigrid Schuer: “incorruptible chronicler”. WK editor Christine Kröger was honored with the Villa Ichon Peace Prize. In: Kurier am Sonntag , March 14, 2010, p. 11.
  5. ↑ Bremen award for educational work about neo-Nazis - 13.03.2010 - Culture and Peace Prize for Christine Kröger. Radio Bremen, March 12, 2010, accessed on March 14, 2010 .
  6. ↑ a b Christine Kröger → Assessment of the jury. (No longer available online.) In: Theodor Wolff Prize 2006. Journalist Prize from German newspapers. Federal Association of German Newspaper Publishers (BDZV) , 2006, archived from the original on January 25, 2010 ; Retrieved March 12, 2010 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.bdzv.de
  7. ↑ Weser-Kurier-Editor receives Guardian Award . In: Weser-Kurier , March 26, 2010, p. 1.
  8. ↑ a b Christine Kröger: In case of doubt for the public prosecutor. Prosecutors become entangled in the red light district. Weser-Kurier, Bremen, May 14th 2010, accessed 22 May 2010 ( lead story -Article the first dossier, front page).
  9. ↑ a b Christine Kröger: Sex, Lies and Video ... (1st Dossier). Weser-Kurier, Bremen, May 14, 2010, pp. 10–11 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  10. ↑ a b Christine Kröger: The informant who knew too much ... (2nd dossier). Weser-Kurier, Bremen, May 15, 2010, pp. 12-14 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  11. ↑ a b Christine Kröger: The long arm of the "Hell's Angels" ... (3rd dossier). Kurier am Sonntag (Weser-Kurier), Bremen, May 16, 2010, pp. 12-13 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  12. ↑ a b c Mario Assmann, Christine Kröger: Readers praise Weser Kurier dossiers - authorities are silent or are “outraged” . In: Weser-Kurier, Bremen, May 20, 2010, p. 16.
  13. ^ Attorney General outraged by the Weser-Kurier's report. ( PDF file) In: Press release. Celle Public Prosecutor's Office, May 19, 2010, accessed May 22, 2010 .
  14. ↑ a b Henri Nannen Prize awarded for the seventh time. Big gala, strong performances. (No longer available online.) Stern.de , May 7, 2011, formerly in the original ; Retrieved on May 22, 2011 (Note: The stern article also reports on the award of the 2011 “Reportage” award to the Spiegel editor René Pfister; this award has since been revoked by the jury, see Henri Nannen Award 2011. ) .  ( Page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.@1@ 2Template: Toter Link / www.stern.de  
  15. ↑ Christine Kröger: Childhood in brown. Netz gegen Nazis (www.netz-gegen-nazis.de), March 27, 2009, accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  16. ↑ Christine Kröger: Rockers put themselves in the right light. Right-wing extremists are also welcome at Frank Hanebuth's “Hell's Angels” in Hanover. ( PDF file; 323 kB) Weser-Kurier, November 29, 2008, p. 16 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  17. ↑ Christine Kröger: The long shadow of Frank H. The "Hell's Angels" set up in Hanover - and Hanover with them. ( PDF file; 290 kB) Weser-Kurier, November 28, 2008, p. 15 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  18. ↑ Christine Kröger: "Angel" without honor. Criminal investigation expert clears up rocker myths. ( PDF file; 365 kB) Weser-Kurier, July 1, 2008, p. 12 , accessed on March 12, 2010 (Interview with Wilhelm Weber, Head of the Organized Crime Department at the Bremen State Criminal Police Office ).
  19. ↑ Christine Kröger: With violence into business. "Hell's Angels" market themselves as down-to-earth motorcycle rebels - the police regard them as organized criminals. ( PDF file; 365 kB) Weser-Kurier, July 1, 2008, p. 12 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  20. ↑ Christine Kröger, Rose Gerdts-Schiffler: From the party to the jail. Large-scale police operation against "Hell's Angels" / rockers are considered to be heavily armed. ( PDF file; 337 kB) Weser-Kurier, June 9, 2008, p. 14 , accessed on March 12, 2010 .
  21. ↑ Christine Kröger: They drive over corpses. Rocker war in the north: Was the murder of "Hell's Angel" revenge for the attack in Stuhr? ( PDF file; 302 kB) Weser-Kurier, June 8, 2008, p. 16 , accessed on March 14, 2010 .
  22. ↑ Christine Kröger → Award-winning text. (No longer available online.) In: Theodor Wolff Prize 2006. Journalist Prize from German newspapers. Federal Association of German Newspaper Publishers, 2006, archived from the original on January 25, 2010 ; Retrieved March 12, 2010 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. @1@ 2Template: Webachiv / IABot / www.bdzv.de
personal data
SURNAME Kröger, Christine
BRIEF DESCRIPTION German journalist and editor
DATE OF BIRTH April 7, 1968
PLACE OF BIRTH Cloppenburg