Court Prohibits Reuters from Making False Claims on Fencing Federation Open Letter

The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has welcomed a ruling from the Higher Regional Court of Hamburg, which has prohibited Reuters from disseminating inaccurate information regarding an open letter addressed to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The decision follows a legal dispute over a Reuters report published on May 5, 2026, which asserted that nearly 3,000 athletes and coaches had signed the letter expressing concerns about the FIE's leadership.

The contentious open letter, directed to the IOC President and FIE management, called for an external investigation into the FIE. Reuters subsequently published a story indicating that almost 3,000 athletes and coaches had endorsed the letter, a claim that was widely reported by global media outlets. However, the FIE contested the authenticity of this figure, stating from the outset that it was inaccurate and formed part of a broader campaign against the federation's leadership.

During the proceedings, Reuters was unable to substantiate the reported number of signatories. The Hamburg court has now issued an injunction barring Reuters from repeating this claim, warning of fines up to EUR250,000 or, alternatively, custodial penalties for non-compliance. The court determined that the assertion constituted a false statement of fact and found that the process for collecting signatures lacked adequate verification. The online form used to gather signatures was publicly accessible, and there was neither an identity check nor confirmation that the signatories were indeed athletes or coaches. Approximately half the entries were submitted anonymously, and there were calls within the campaign to share the letter for further signatures.

The court emphasized that there is no legitimate public interest in spreading false factual statements. It also noted that attributing the letter to a large number of athletes and coaches carries significant weight with the public, as these individuals are presumed to have a deeper understanding of issues within the federation. An independent review commissioned by the FIE found that only a small proportion of the listed signatories could be verified as FIE-licensed athletes or coaches. Many identified themselves as parents, fans, or unrelated third parties, and several names were reported by national federations as having not actually signed. The list also included duplicate and evidently fictitious entries.

Following the court's decision, Reuters has amended its article. The correction removed the disputed figure and included a clarification that the number of signatories was not independently verified and that the FIE contests both the quantity and authenticity of the signatures.

The outcome of this legal case underscores the importance of accuracy and verification in media reporting, particularly when claims are widely echoed and can impact the reputation of international organizations. The FIE maintains that the attention given to the open letter was based on unsubstantiated figures, and the court's injunction aims to prevent further dissemination of such claims without verification.