SWR want to proscribe 'die Linke', 'FDP' and 'AfD' of the major discussion round (Elefantenrunde) due to an ultimatum by 'SPD' and 'die Grünen'. Last named parties loomed with failing to appear in the Elefantenrunde if SWR granted AfD access.[1][2][3]

The threat is primarly very childish. Admittedly it's an attack on democracy.

The public broadcasting have to be neutral according to §11 (RStV). Furthermore it's an offence of freedom of speech and the free press, both fixed by law in e.g. the German constitution §5. It's a violation of democracy. Sadly, it's not illegal. After the blackmailing they decided to not invite all major parties of the federal states Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate, as they usually did.[4] Presently only federal parliament (Landtag) parties are invited.

In addition an obliquetly proscription of rightwing parties play into the hand of right populistic groups like Pegida and AfD. The lack of neutrality openly shown is grists for the mill of people who chant 'fibing media' (Lügenpresse*). And that in a time where over 50% don't trust public broadcasting and nearly 40% see a raison d'être in the misnomer.[5] The Russian government-funded newsblog RT Germany already used the occurence to create mistrust to German public service broadcasting: 'Another indictment of public service broadcasting, which of itself claims to be 'nongovernmental' and 'independent''.[6] Moreover people start to think that the the right populist party 'AfD' might have better arguments - which is the only reason I can see for an exciling.

Most importantly for me: 'die Linke' is also banned.[7]

This is an appeal for public media to not forget moral, statue and democracy. Stop being of help to rightwing fractions by taking their freedom of speech. It needs arguments to fight the wrong - interdiction just make it become bigger. The idea behind the Elefantenrunde is to let the better argument win. And you are forced to come with better arguments when you have an adversary in the debate gathering. Maybe that is the reason why 'SPD' and 'die Grünen' want this exclusion - out of fear they have the weaker arguments?

Allow 'AfD' ('FDP' and 'die Linke') to participate, because two wrongs don't make a right.

*founded in the 17th century and used by NSDAP and Adolf Hitler

---

Also MDR decided to not invite AfD.[8]

[1] http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/debatten/spd...

[2] http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/swr-s...

[3] http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/wieso...

[4] http://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/tv-kr...

[5] http://www.metropolico.org/2016/01/19/afd-aus-elef...

[6] https://deutsch.rt.com/inland/36380-gelenkte-medie...

[7] http://www.die-linke-bw.de/nc/politik/presse/detai...

[8] http://www.focus.de/regional/sachsen-anhalt/wahlen...