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Comment by FabHK | Hacker News Reader

In Germany, people covered by factual statements in the news have a right (under certain conditions) to demand a "Gegendarstellung" presenting their reply (consisting only of factual statements, not opinions), and that reply has to be in an equally prominent location/size/etc in the same media outlet.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_of_reply

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gegendarstellung

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Of course factual statements need not be true. There was a famous case in Italy where a politician denied having been incarcerated, while sending his reply from a state prison.

Does a "Gegendarstellung" not require a court order?

I would very much love if the media outlets agree on self imposed "best practices for corrections".

Which in the end should be a benefit for those complying because they can advertise it and be more believable

The right exists without a court order (and I'd wager it is more often granted than not by established outfits, with notable exceptions like tabloids - like Germany's largest newspaper Bild - and the yellow press). However, some will have to resort to go to the courts if the publishing entity does not comply. Which will take some effort, it being a civil rights matter - e.g. paying court fees up front (and claiming the money back in the same suit, leaving the applicant with the risk of an opposing party with no money).

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