FAZ display for Naidoo: Lieberberg rejects criticism back – SPIEGEL ONLINE

concert promoter Marek Lieberberg has criticism of the full-page ad that he has switched on Saturday in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung” rejected. In the screen that was overwritten with the words “People of Xavier Naidoo,” said 121 artists and bands such as The Prince, Mario Adorf, Jan Delay, Jan Josef Liefers and Til Schweiger had voted for the singer.

The display had been partially taken up in amazement. The “Rheinische Post” about it called in a comment a “closing of ranks of the eternally misunderstood, criticized and scolded the”. SPIEGEL ONLINE has had in this commentary behind the display is not so much a solidarity with the political attitude Naidoo suspected – but a marketing campaign for the defense of Naidoo’s reputation as Lieberberg is not only business in league with Naidoo, but also with several other of the signatories.

Dear Berg now declared: “All these suppositions you must refer Every little child knows that I can do in the arts section of the ‘FAZ’ no marketing for hip-hop artist to Absurdistan..” In any case be Naidoo concerts have been in recent months sold out all, and 2016 was no tour planned so Lieberberg further.

That Lieberberg have influenced the editorial content of the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”, however, was not a reproach, which had been given him. The 70,000-euro advert was labeled as such and clearly separated from editorial content.

The NDR will say no more

The NDR had Naidoo (” chosen this path “) in the previous week as the German representative for the Euro Vision Song Contest (ESC). Once on the other hand strong protest had formed within the NDR itself, the station moved the nomination two days later but back. “The NDR has made a mistake,” NDR director Lutz Marmor said.

Naidoo applies for political statements as controversial. He is accused of anti-Semitism, homophobia and conspiracy. Naidoo had resisted the criticism: “With all my being I stand for a cosmopolitan and hospitable Germany and a respectful and peaceful interaction with each other,” he was quoted by the NDR before the station withdrew the nomination.

“We are Xavier Naidoo connected, and not just since yesterday and today, but for decades,” said Lieber Berg, who had initiated the ad, the dpa on Sunday. “We turned to many artists with whom we do not work together, just to the industry per se. We are excited about the reception that we have received.”

The NDR took the action calmly. “That is their right”, told the station. “Xavier Naidoo is an artist who polarizes. He has, among many critics, many fans. From our perspective, everything necessary is said about it.”