Focus (German magazine)

{{Short description|German weekly news magazine}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox magazine | image_size = 250px | logo = Focus logo gross 2017.jpeg | image_caption = | editor = {{unbulleted list|Franziska Reich|Georg Meck}} | category = News magazine | frequency = Weekly | circulation = 240,330 (01/2024) | founder = Helmut Markwort | firstdate = {{start date and age|1993|01|18|df=yes}} | company = Hubert Burda Media | country = Germany | based = Berlin | language = German | website = {{URL|focus.de}} | issn = 0943-7576 }} '''''Focus''''' (stylized in all caps) is a German-language news magazine published by Hubert Burda Media.<ref>{{cite web|title=15 Jahre Fakten, Fakten, Fakten|periodical=Focus Online|url=http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/focus_aid_233990.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=18 January 2008|language=de|archive-date=13 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170313082104/http://www.focus.de/politik/deutschland/focus_aid_233990.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Focus feiert 20-jähriges Bestehen|periodical=Der Standard|url=http://derstandard.at/1356427624828/Focus-feiert-20-jaehriges-Bestehen|access-date=30 October 2016|date=14 January 2013|language=de}}</ref> Established in 1993 as an alternative to the ''Der Spiegel'' weekly news magazine,<ref>{{cite news|last=Kohrs |first=Ekkehard |periodical=Bonner General-Anzeiger|title=Burdas Kampfansage an Augstein|page=3|date=19 January 1993|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hoffmann |first=Rainer |periodical=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|title=Bunter Spiegel|date=21 January 1993|language=de}}</ref> since 2015 the editorial staff has been headquartered in Germany's capital of Berlin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nachrichtenmagazin: Focus zieht nach Berlin um|periodical=Spiegel Online|url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/nachrichtenmagazin-focus-zieht-nach-berlin-a-1052314.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=10 September 2015|language=de}}</ref> Alongside ''Spiegel'' and ''Stern'', ''Focus'' is one of the three most widely circulated German weeklies.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Ein starkes Führungs-Trio|page=66|date=20 November 2003|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Nordkurier|title=Focus, Spiegel, Stern: Die Großen im tiefen Wandel|page=25|date=27 August 2014|language=de}}</ref> The concept originated from Hubert Burda and Helmut Markwort,<ref>{{citation|last=Plewe |first=Heidrun |periodical=Horizont|title=Wenige glaubten zunächst an den Erfolg|page=20|date=17 December 1993|language=de}}</ref> who went from being editor-in-chief to publisher in 2009 and since 2017 has been listed in the publication's masthead as founding editor-in-chief.<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus-Chefredakteur Markwort geht|periodical=Zeit Online|url=http://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2009-10/focus-markwort-chefredakteur|access-date=30 October 2016|date=29 October 2009|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ende einer Ära: Magazin-Gründer Helmut Markwort gibt Focus-Herausgeberschaft ab|periodical=Meedia|url=http://meedia.de/2017/01/17/ende-einer-aera-magazin-gruender-helmut-markwort-gibt-herausgeberschaft-des-focus-ab/|access-date=18 July 2017|last=Schade|first=Marvin|date=17 January 2017|language=de|archive-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803172157/http://meedia.de/2017/01/17/ende-einer-aera-magazin-gruender-helmut-markwort-gibt-herausgeberschaft-des-focus-ab/|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of March 2016 the editor-in-chief of ''Focus'' was Robert Schneider.<ref>{{cite web|title=Neuer Chefredakteur für den Focus|website=Der Tagesspiegel |last=Álvarez |first=Sonja |url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/medien/robert-schneider-folgt-auf-ulrich-reitz-neuer-chefredakteur-fuer-den-focus/12860868.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=21 January 2016|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Neuer Focus-Chef kommt von der Super Illu|website=Spiegel Online|url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/focus-robert-schneider-wird-neuer-chefredakteur-a-1073147.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=21 January 2016|language=de}}</ref>

==History== Under the code name "Zugmieze", work commenced on ''Focus'' in the summer of 1991.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Kress Report|title=Eine Zugmieze macht Karriere|page=8|date=10 January 2013|language=de}}</ref> In October 1992, Hubert Burda Media announced plans for a new weekly news magazine.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Focus: Burda will es wissen|page=46|date=9 October 1992|language=de}}</ref> Observers initially gave the project only little chance for success.<ref>{{citation|author=Harald Kurz|periodical=Horizont|title=Zugmieze: Zugpferd oder Katzenjammer?|page=56|date=18 September 1992|language=de}}</ref> Several attempts of other publishers to establish a competitor to ''Spiegel'' and ''Stern'' magazines had previously failed. The first edition arrived on the newsstands on 18 January 1993 and was already sold out on the next day.<ref>{{citation|last=Baur|first=Uli|periodical=Focus Magazin|title=Das war unser Start|date=19 March 2012|language=de|url=http://www.focus.de/magazin/memo/memo-des-chefredakteurs-das-war-unser-start_aid_725162.html|access-date=30 October 2016|archive-date=19 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119120546/http://www.focus.de/magazin/memo/memo-des-chefredakteurs-das-war-unser-start_aid_725162.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The subline of the ''Focus'' was "the modern news magazine", and Helmut Markwort became the magazine's first editor-in-chief.<ref>{{citation|last1=Pürer |first1=Heinz |last2=Raabe |first2=Johannes |title=Presse in Deutschland|edition=3.|publisher=UVK|publication-place=Konstanz|page=263 |isbn=978-3-8252-8334-6|date=2007|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Frankfurter Neue Presse|title=Ein Mann der Fakten|page=1|date=8 December 2011|language=de}}</ref> The lead story on the alleged comeback of Hans-Dietrich Genscher as the successor of Richard von Weizsäcker in the office of the Federal President was later proven to be a canard.<ref>{{citation|last=Schmeh |first=Klaus |title=David gegen Goliath: 33 überraschende Unternehmenserfolge|publisher=Redline|publication-place=Frankfurt am Main|page=[https://archive.org/details/davidgegengoliat0000schm/page/34 34]|isbn=3-8323-1057-6|date=2004|language=de |url=https://archive.org/details/davidgegengoliat0000schm/page/34}}</ref> There was an equal mix of positive and negative reviews: Whereas journalists tended to take a critical view towards ''Focus'', advertisers had consistently favorable responses.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Brennpunkt Focus am Montag|page=2|date=22 January 1993|language=de}}</ref> Observers saw in ''Focus'' above all a challenger of ''Spiegel'', whereas the publisher viewed US magazines such as ''Newsweek'' and ''Time'' as its role model.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Saarbrücker Zeitung|title=Focus kontra Spiegel|date=16 January 1993|language=de}}</ref>

After five issues, ''Focus'' had some 15,000 subscribers, and with circulation of over 300,000 copies sold, it was a commercial success from the beginning.<ref>{{citation|author=Heidrun Plewe|periodical=Horizont|title=Focus liegt zur Zeit gut im Plan|page=25|date=19 February 1993|language=de}}</ref> The magazine played a decisive role in the expansion of Hubert Burda Media's market position.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Burda kostet Focus-Erfolg aus|page=6|date=1 April 1994|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Handelsblatt|title=Investitionen kräftig ausgeweitet: Verlag auf der Focus-Welle|page=16|date=22 July 1994|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Burda-Konzern wächst im letzten Jahr dank Focus|date=12 May 1995|language=de}}</ref> In mid-1994, a Dutch court ruled that due to brand disputes, ''Focus'' was no longer allowed to be sold in Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Deutscher Drucker|title=Focus nicht mehr in den Benelux-Laender|page=4|date=25 August 1994|language=de}}</ref> Unfazed by this, ''Focus'' continued its growth strategy,<ref>{{citation|periodical=Deutscher Drucker|title=Nachrichtemagazine: Burda bleibt mit Focus auf Erfolgskurs|page=4|date=4 August 1994|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Peter Turi|periodical=Horizont|title=Mit Fakten, Fakten auf dem Weg zur Spitze|page=70|date=17 March 1995|language=de}}</ref> later even occasionally eclipsing ''Spiegel'' in advertising sales.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Die Tageszeitung|title=Fakten zu Focus|page=14|date=1 December 1995|language=de}}</ref> Burda further enhanced its international profile, for example, through a cooperation agreement with the US media group, Ziff Davis.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Deutscher Drucker|title=Burdas Focus-Verlag kooperiert mit Ziff-Davis|page=6|date=7 July 1994|language=de}}</ref> The year 1996 saw the launch of the Internet portal, Focus Online, and under the name of Focus TV, the group entered into production of TV content.<ref>{{citation|author=Thomas Voigt|periodical=Horizont|title=Markwort gebiert weitere Focus-Kinder|page=36|date=19 January 1996|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Focus-Online-Währung|page=12|date=12 January 1996|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Isabella Hofmann|periodical=Wirtschaftsblatt|title=Focus bald auch im TV: Neues Fernsehmagazin startet im März auf Pro7|page=7|date=6 February 1996|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Focus TV liefert Beiträge für Frauensender tm3|date=8 August 1996|language=de}}</ref> ''Focus'' developed into one of the leading German news magazines.<ref>{{citation|last=Held |first=Barbara |periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Ende des Amüsements|page=31|date=30 November 1997|language=de}}</ref> In 1997, its publisher, Hubert Burda, was lauded for the magazine's "creative and groundbreaking innovations", among other accolades.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Hubert Burda erhält den Medienpreis für Focus|page=108|date=30 October 1997|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Darmstädter Echo|title=Focus ist Hubert Burdas Erfolgsstory|date=9 February 2000|language=de}}</ref>

Over the first five years of its existence, ''Focus'' repeatedly created a sensation with its interviews of key celebrities, e.g. in 1996 with real estate mogul Jürgen Schneider after his arrest, or in 1997 with Leo Kirch in the aftermath of his media group's collapse.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Focus|title=5 Jahre Focus|pages=160–161|date=12 January 1998|language=de}}</ref> The ''Focus'' concept was also successfully adapted outside of Europe,<ref>{{citation|periodical=Wirtschaftswoche|title=Focus auf Weltkurs|page=66|date=18 June 1998|language=de}}</ref> e.g. in the form of ''Época'' magazine by the Brazilian media house Grupo Globo.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Welt Am Sonntag|title=Erfolgsrezept verkauft: Focus do Brasil|page=54|date=26 April 1998|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Burda vergibt Lizenz für Focus nach Brasilien|page=6|date=30 April 1998|language=de}}</ref> At the beginning of 1999, ''Focus'' for the first time achieved higher readership than ''Spiegel'',<ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Platztausch: Focus erreicht mittlerweile mehr Leser als der Spiegel|page=39|date=28 January 1999|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Frankfurter Rundschau|title=Media-Analyse: Focus überholt den Spiegel|page=8|date=28 January 1999|language=de}}</ref> and in the years to follow, managed to further expand its lead position.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Sächsische Zeitung|title=Media-Analyse: Focus vergrößert Vorsprung|page=17|date=25 January 2001|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Koch |first=Klaus |periodical=Südkurier|title=Totgesagt und sehr lebendig|date=13 January 2003|language=de}}</ref> The year 2000 saw the launch of ''Focus Money'', an off-shoot of the news magazine, dedicated to business and financial topics.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Deutscher Drucker|title=Focus Verlag plant ein zweites Magazin|page=2|date=14 October 1999|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Simon |first=Ulrike |title=Geld, Geld, Geld: Focus legt sich heute mit Focus Money einen Ableger zu|page=43|date=30 March 2000|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Das Magazin für den Positiv-Denker|page=50|date=10 May 2001|language=de}}</ref> In 2001, a division for Internet topics was created at ''Focus'',<ref>{{citation|periodical=Die Welt|title=Euphorie bei Focus: Mehr Leser, neues Ressort|page=33|date=1 February 2001|language=de}}</ref> in addition to pooling Internet activities of Focus Digital in the joint venture, Tomorrow Focus.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Handelsblatt|title=Tomorrow und Focus Digital fusionieren|page=11|date=9 August 2001|language=de}}</ref> Thus, the ''Focus'' magazine publishing company was once again primarily responsible for printed publications, yet participated in Tomorrow Focus.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Financial Times Deutschland|title=Die Firma|page=36|date=10 January 2001|language=de}}</ref>

In 2004 the first personnel changes occurred at ''Focus'':<ref>{{citation|author=Martin-Werner Buchenau|periodical=Handelsblatt|title=Burda regelt Markwort-Nachfolge|page=18|date=10 November 2004|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last1=Hegner |first1=Cathrin |last2=Schütz |first2=Volker |periodical=Horizont|title=Ich wollte die Nachfolge präjudizieren|page=38|date=18 November 2004|language=de}}</ref> In addition to his duties as editor-in-chief, Helmut Markwort also assumed the position of publisher, and Uli Baur was promoted from deputy editor-in-chief to editor-in-chief.<ref>{{citation|last=Schrader |first=Pierre |periodical=Horizont|title=Mehr Markwort für Focus|page=14|date=11 November 2004|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Focus|title=Focus mit erweiterter Führung|pages=161|date=15 November 2004|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Focus-Tandem|page=31|date=10 November 2004|language=de}}</ref> Under the new leadership, in 2005 ''Focus'' teamed up with Hörverlag, an audio publisher, to create the download portal Claudio for audio books.<ref>{{citation|author=Miriam Hebben |periodical=Horizont|title=Printmarken hören auf Claudio.de|page=42|date=8 December 2005|language=de}}</ref> In 2006, ''Focus'' became embroiled in the journalist scandal of the Bundesnachrichtendienst, the German Intelligence Services.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Thüringer Allgemeine |title=Hausfriedensbruch und Kollegenverrat|date=13 May 2006|language=de}}</ref> In exchange for money and benefits in kind, several journalists had offered the intelligence agency to collect and disclose information on investigative journalists and their sources.<ref>{{citation|author=Eric Gujer|periodical=Neue Zürcher Zeitung|title=Deutsche Journalisten als willige Helfer: Kritik im Geheimbericht zur BND-Affäre an den Medien|page=3|date=24 May 2006|language=de}}</ref> The German Intelligence Services in turn put ''Focus'' journalists under observation as informants.<ref>{{citation|author=Frank Jansen|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Die Spitzel vom Dienst|page=2|date=13 May 2006|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Rath |first=Christian |periodical=Badische Zeitung|title=Geheimdienst sucht Leck|date=19 May 2006|language=de}}</ref> Irrespective of the public debate surrounding the affair, ''Focus'' continued its development, yet like all news magazines, was grappling with declining circulation.<ref>{{citation|author=Marie Waldburg|periodical=Bunte|title=15 Jahre Focus|page=104 |date=24 January 2008|language=de}}</ref> At the end of 2009, it was announced that Helmut Markwort was stepping down as editor-in-chief.<ref>{{citation|author=Hans-Peter Siebenhaar|periodical=Handelsblatt|title=Weimer löst Markwort bei Focus ab|page=15|date=30 October 2009 |language=de}}</ref> Wolfram Weimer, founder of the political magazine Cicero, was appointed as his successor.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Focus|title=Neues Führungs-Duo für Focus|pages=156|date=2 November 2009|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Elfers |first=Silja |periodical=Horizont|title=Konservativ, klug und umsichtig|page=10|date=5 November 2009|language=de}}</ref> Observers saw in Markwort's departure a fundamental "change in direction".<ref>{{citation|author=Joachim Huber|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Richtungswechsel: Helmut Markwort gibt Focus-Chefredaktion ab, Wolfram Weimer kommt|page=31|date=30 October 2009|language=de}}</ref> Even prior to Weimer's taking up his duties, the publisher staged a relaunch of ''Focus''.<ref>{{citation|last=Rungg |first=Andrea |periodical=Financial Times Deutschland|title=Burda wechselt Markwort bei Focus aus|page=2|date=30 October 2009|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Spiegel|title=Schneller Umbau beim Focus|page=103|date=2 November 2009|language=de}}</ref>

After only one year, Weimer left ''Focus'' and his position was left unfilled, which lead to Baur becoming the sole editor-in-chief.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Welt Kompakt|title=Abgang nach nur einem Jahr|page=31|date=27 July 2011|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Scharrer |first=Jürgen |periodical=Horizont|title=Rückschlag für Focus|page=2|date=28 July 2011|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Kastenhuber |first=Hans-Peter |periodical=Nürnberger Nachrichten|title=Debatten-Focus ist gescheitert|page=24|date=30 July 2011|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Wolfram Weimer verlässt Chefredaktion|periodical=Spiegel Online|url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/wochenmagazin-focus-wolfram-weimer-verlaesst-chefredaktion-a-776656.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=26 July 2011|language=de}}</ref> According to media reports, publisher Markwort and Baur had "rejected" the new direction of ''Focus'' and "ultimately obstructed it more and more heavily". Weimer was said to have wanted to position the magazine as "more up-market and more political".<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus: Chefredakteur Weimer gibt auf|periodical=Süddeutsche Zeitung|url=http://www.sueddeutsche.de/medien/machtkampf-um-nachrichtenmagazin-focus-chefredakteur-weimer-gibt-auf-1.1124695|access-date=30 October 2016|date=26 July 2011|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Berliner Zeitung|title=Erfolg des Alten|page=30|date=27 July 2011|language=de}}</ref> The paid circulation of single copies "more and more heavily" declined under Weimer's and Baur's leadership, dropping below the 100,000 mark.<ref>{{citation|last=Frank |first=Joachim |periodical=Frankfurter Rundschau|title=Baur gegen Weimer|page=36|date=21 July 2011|language=de}}</ref> In 2013, Jörg Quoos took over as editor-in-chief of the magazine,<ref>{{cite web|title=Jörg Quoos: Eine Reform für den Focus|periodical=Hamburger Abendblatt|url=http://www.abendblatt.de/kultur-live/article112435868/Joerg-Quoos-Eine-Reform-fuer-den-Focus.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=7 July 2013|language=de}}</ref> and Baur became publisher.<ref>{{cite news|title=Uli Baur: Es geht um klaren Journalismus|periodical=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/im-gespraech-uli-baur-es-geht-um-klaren-journalismus-11746909.html|access-date=30 October 2016|last=Michael Hanfeld|date=10 May 2012|language=de}}</ref> Quoos gave ''Focus'' a more political orientation and, in particular, reduced the share of practical tips.<ref>{{citation|author=Birte Bühnen|periodical=Kress Report|title=Focus: Jörg Quoos setzt politische Akzente|page=11|date=25 January 2013|language=de}}</ref> For example, the magazine ran an exposé on soccer manager Uli Hoeness's voluntary disclosure of his tax evasion and landed the scoop on the so-called "Nazi-era treasure trove" of art collector Cornelius Gurlitt.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fußball: Steuerermittlungen gegen Hoeneß nach Selbstanzeige|periodical=Focus Online|url=http://www.focus.de/sport/fussball/fussball-steuerermittlungen-gegen-hoeness-nach-selbstanzeige_aid_966240.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=20 April 2013|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|last=Schultejans |first=Britta |periodical=Aachener Nachrichten|title=Wertvoller Kunstschatz mit dunkler Vergangenheit|date=3 November 2014|language=de}}</ref> In 2014, Ulrich Reitz followed as new editor-in-chief, as the publisher and Quoos had a difference in opinion on the future direction of the magazine.<ref>{{cite web|title=Chefredakteurs-Karussell: Jörg Quoos muss beim Focus gehen, Ulrich Reitz kommt|periodical=Meedia|url=http://meedia.de/2014/08/26/breaking-joerg-quoos-verlaesst-den-focus-neuer-chefredakteur-wird-ulrich-reitz/|access-date=30 October 2016|date=26 August 2014|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Focus wechselt Chefredakteur aus|periodical=Zeit Online|url=http://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2014-08/focus-chefredakteur-quoos-reitz|access-date=30 October 2016|date=26 August 2014|language=de}}</ref> Among other steps, Reitz completed the process initiated under Quoos, relocating ''Focus'' from Munich to Berlin in the year 2015.<ref>{{cite news|title=Warum der Focus nach Berlin umzieht |periodical=Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung|url=https://www.faz.net/aktuell/feuilleton/medien/das-magazin-focus-zieht-von-muenchen-nach-berlin-13795693.html|access-date=30 October 2016|last=Michael Hanfeld|date=10 September 2015|language=de}}</ref> Only a small editorial staff remained in the Bavarian state capital.<ref>{{cite web|title=Der Focus zieht zu großen Teilen nach Berlin|periodical=DWDL|url=http://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/52564/der_focus_zieht_zu_grossen_teilen_nach_berlin/|access-date=30 October 2016|author=Uwe Mantel|date=10 September 2015|language=de}}</ref> In 2016, there was again a change at the head of the editorial staff:<ref>{{citation|periodical=Welt Kompakt|title=Wieder ein Wechsel beim Focus|page=10|date=22 January 2016|language=de}}</ref> Robert Schneider, formerly editor-in-chief of ''Superillu'',<ref>{{citation|periodical=Hamburger Abendblatt|title=Super Illu-Chefredakteur leitet bald den Focus|page=22|date=22 January 2016|language=de}}</ref> replaced Reitz, who remained until the end of the year, responsible for the topics of politics and debate.<ref>{{citation|last=Grimm |first=Imre |periodical=Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung|title=Aus für Reitz: Chefwechsel beim Focus|page=19|date=22 January 2016|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|author=Ulrike Simon|periodical=Horizont|title=Der Nächste, bitte!|page=4|date=28 January 2016|language=de}}</ref>

In 2017, ''Focus'' announced the closure of its offices in Munich and Düsseldorf,<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus verlässt München und baut Stellen ab|periodical=Horizont|url=http://www.horizont.net/medien/nachrichten/Hubert-Burda-Media-Focus-verlaesst-Muenchen-und-baut-Stellen-ab-156961|access-date=22 May 2017|last=Hein |first=David |date=30 March 2017|language=de}}</ref> along with reorganizations in the editorial staff.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nachrichtenmagazin: Focus schließt Büros in München und Düsseldorf|periodical=Handelsblatt |url=https://www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/nachrichtenmagazin-focus-schliesst-bueros-in-muenchen-und-duesseldorf/19593844.html|access-date=22 May 2017|date=30 March 2017|language=de}}</ref> Since then, the magazine is now created completely in Berlin.<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus schließt Büros in München und Düsseldorf|periodical=DWDL |url=https://www.dwdl.de/nachrichten/60820/focus_schliet_bros_in_mnchen_und_dsseldorf/|access-date=22 May 2017|author=Alexander Krei|date=30 March 2017|language=de}}</ref> Later in the year, Hubert Burda Media launched a broad-based reader campaign entitled "Menschen im Focus" (people in focus).<ref>{{cite web|title=Leserkampagne Menschen im Focus: Wie Burda dem Wochenmagazin ein neues Image verpasst|periodical=Meedia|url=http://meedia.de/2017/05/11/leserkampagne-menschen-im-focus-wie-burda-dem-wochenmagazin-ein-neues-image-verpasst/|access-date=22 May 2017|author=Gregory Lipinski|date=11 May 2017|language=de|archive-date=15 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170515165821/http://meedia.de/2017/05/11/leserkampagne-menschen-im-focus-wie-burda-dem-wochenmagazin-ein-neues-image-verpasst/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Circulation== ''Focus'' is one of the most widely circulated news magazines and has a proportionally large share in the advertising market.<ref name="Kaltenhäuser">{{citation|author=Bettina Kaltenhäuser|title=Abstimmung am Kiosk|publisher=Springer|pages=93–96|isbn=3-8244-4617-0|year=2005|language=de}}</ref> Like ''Spiegel'' and ''Stern'', ''Focus'' has sustained significant declines over the past years, however, dropping from 782,685 to 438,055 sold copies from the 4th quarter of 1998 to the 2nd quarter of 2017.<ref name="IVW" /> Individual sales experience relatively wide fluctuation, depending upon the cover story. The share of subscriptions in the paid circulation is currently roughly 37%, recently increasing slightly.<ref name="IVW">{{cite web|title=Quartalsauflagen|publisher=Informationsgemeinschaft zur Feststellung der Verbreitung von Werbeträgern|url=http://www.ivw.eu/print/quartalsauflagen/quartalsauflagen|access-date=30 October 2016|language=de|archive-date=28 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161028091641/http://www.ivw.eu/print/quartalsauflagen/quartalsauflagen|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Profile== While ''Focus'' positioned itself as a news magazine alongside ''Spiegel'', the latter in turn decidedly distanced itself from ''Focus'', dismissively referring to it as the "Munich Illustrated", among other things.<ref name="Kaltenhäuser" /> Both publications differ in their editorial approaches:<ref>{{citation|author=Rudolf Walter Leonhardt|periodical=Die Zeit|title=Focus und Spiegel im Vergleich|date=9 May 1997|language=de|url=http://www.zeit.de/1997/20/spiegelf.txt.19970509.xml|access-date= 30 October 2016}}</ref> ''Spiegel'' puts an emphasis on complex political, economic and social analysis, whereas ''Focus'', in addition to political reporting, also caters to topics of everyday relevance from the realms of family, health, finances and career.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Horizont|title=Die aktuelle Woche im Focus|page=38|date=21 January 1994|language=de}}</ref> However, ''Spiegel'' published more articles featuring practical tips, modeled after ''Focus''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Spiegel|periodical=Turi2|url=http://www.turi2.de/tag/spiegel/|access-date=3 August 2017|language=de|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130114146/https://www.turi2.de/tag/spiegel/|url-status=dead}}</ref> With comparatively shorter texts, more graphics, more impactful visuals and ranking lists, readers are offered information that is easier to absorb.<ref name="Kaltenhäuser"/> From the beginning, journalism offering practical tips has been an essential element of ''Focus''.<ref>{{citation|author=Jürgen Scharrer|periodical=Horizont|title=Focus traut sich mehr als gedacht|page=10|date=28 January 2010|language=de}}</ref> According to the news magazine's own statements, its target group includes people who "are involved in society, in politics and in their professions, thanks to their active processing of information and especially due to their strong appetite for information".<ref>{{citation|periodical=Handelsblatt|title=Neues Nachrichtenmagazin heißt Focus|page=26|date=6 October 1992|language=de}}</ref> When the magazine launched, observers referred to this group as "info elites".<ref>{{citation|author=Mathias Bröckers|periodical=Die Tageszeitung|title=Neues vom Infoismus|page=16|date=19 January 1993|language=de}}</ref> ''Focus'' is generally considered to have a bourgeois (i.e. conservative, liberal, non-socialist)<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 August 2021 |title=bürgerlich – Schreibung, Definition, Bedeutung, Etymologie, Synonyme, Beispiele |url=https://www.dwds.de/wb/b%C3%BCrgerlich#d-1-2-2 |access-date=30 April 2025 |website=DWDS |language=de}}</ref> political orientation.<ref>{{citation|last1=Hertin |first1=Katja |last2=Huber |first2=Joachim |periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Was ist ein nichtlinkes Magazin, Herr Markwort?|page=26|date=14 January 1998|language=de}}</ref>

==Criticism== Major controversy erupted over a ''Focus'' story on a mission involving Germany's elite counter-terror unit, GSG 9, in the village of Bad Kleinen, leading to staff offices being searched in January 1994.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Nürnberger Nachrichten|title=Justiz ermittelt gegen den Focus|date=13 January 1994|language=de}}</ref> Law enforcement authorities investigated the magazine because confidential sources had been quoted, e.g. an assessment report from the Federal Criminal Police Office, the Bundeskriminalamt, and the pocket agenda of the killed RAF terrorist, Wolfgang Grams. According to information by ''Stern'', documents found in ''Focus'' offices provided the decisive clue to identifying the informant.<ref>{{citation|author=Gerd Rosenkranz|periodical=Die Tageszeitung|title=Verraten und verkauft|pages=16–17|date=9 October 1996|language=de}}</ref>

In 1995, ''Focus'' reported on business difficulties involving the Hamburg private bank, Mody.<ref>{{citation|author=Patricia Werner |periodical=Stern |title=Da können viele ihr Geld verlieren|date=28 March 1996|language=de}}</ref> As a result, it experienced a bank run by many depositors, and one day after the magazine article appeared, the bank had to close its doors until further notice.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Spiegel|title=Banken: Groß fahrlässig|date=23 October 1995|language=de|url=http://www.spiegel.de/spiegel/print/d-9223510.html|access-date= 30 October 2016}}</ref> The shareholders subsequently held ''Focus'' directly responsible for the illiquidity.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Focus soll für Mody-Aktionäre zahlen|date=22 February 1996|language=de}}</ref> The Press Tribunal of the Hamburg District Court concurred, ordering ''Focus'' to pay restitution for damages.<ref>{{citation|periodical=Börsen-Zeitung|title=Mody Bank: Schwierige Liquidation|page=11|date=23 July 1997|language=de}}</ref> In appeal proceedings, this decision was reversed by Hamburg's Higher Regional Court,<ref>{{citation|periodical=Die Welt|title=Kein Schadenersatz für Mody-Bank|page=38|date=31 March 1999|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{citation|periodical=Handelsblatt|title=Focus muß nicht für Pleite zahlen|page=4|date=31 March 1999|language=de}}</ref> and Germany's Federal Court of Justice denied the plaintiff's appeal on points of law.<ref>{{cite web|title=Focus gewinnt Prozess gegen Mody Privatbank|periodical=New Business|url=http://www.new-business.de/medien/detail.php?nr=29722|access-date=30 October 2016|date=15 October 2002|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Focus gewinnt Prozess gegen Mody Privatbank|periodical=Horizont |url=http://www.horizont.net/medien/nachrichten/-Focus-gewinnt-Prozess-gegen-Mody-Privatbank-40346|access-date=30 October 2016|date=15 October 2002|language=de}}</ref> ''Focus'' welcomed the end of the legal disputes as a "victory for freedom of the press".<ref>{{citation|periodical=Focus|title=Prozess: Sieg für die Pressefreiheit|date=21 October 2002|language=de |url=http://www.focus.de/finanzen/news/prozess-sieg-fuer-die-pressefreiheit_aid_208324.html|access-date= 30 October 2016}}</ref>

A study at the TU Dresden university from the year 2014 involved research on the synchronization of news and advertising. Researchers found that, both in ''Spiegel'' and ''Focus'', reporting on companies was more frequent, friendlier and more frequently mentioned products, the more the companies purchased advertising.<ref>{{citation|author=Lutz M. Hagen|display-authors=et. al.|periodical=Publizistik: Vierteljahreshefte für Kommunikationsforschung|title=Synchronisation von Nachricht und Werbung: Wie das Anzeigenaufkommen von Unternehmen mit ihrer Darstellung in Spiegel und Focus korrelliert|volume=59|issue=4|publisher=Springer|publication-place=Wiesbaden|issn=0033-4006|date=2014|language=de}}</ref>

''Focus'' reporting on the 2015–16 New Year's Eve sexual assaults in Germany created controversy.<ref>{{cite web|title=Schwarze Hände auf nackter, blonder Frau: Focus wegen Köln-Cover im Sexismus-Shitstorm|periodical=Meedia|url=http://meedia.de/2016/01/08/schwarze-haende-auf-nackter-blonder-frau-focus-wegen-populistischem-cover-im-shitstorm/|access-date=30 October 2016|date=8 January 2016|language=de|archive-date=1 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170301152919/http://meedia.de/2016/01/08/schwarze-haende-auf-nackter-blonder-frau-focus-wegen-populistischem-cover-im-shitstorm/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The cover page showed hand prints in black paint on a white, naked woman; it was criticized as a "naked insult" and considered "racist".<ref>{{citation|author=Sonja Álvarez|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|title=Nackte Beleidigung|page=21|date=11 January 2016|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Titel der Schande|periodical=Die Tageszeitung|url=http://www.taz.de/!5267901/|access-date=30 October 2016|last1=Sander |first1=Lalon |last2=Böcker |first2=Anna |date=9 January 2016|language=de}}</ref> Unlike the German daily newspaper, ''Süddeutsche Zeitung'', which had also caused an uproar with a polarizing depiction, ''Focus'' refused to apologize and justified the cover as a symbolic depiction of "what happened in Cologne".<ref>{{cite web|title=Rassistische Titelbilder: Süddeutsche entschuldigt sich, Focus nicht|periodical=Spiegel Online|url=http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/gesellschaft/focus-und-sueddeutsche-zeitung-eine-entschuldigung-eine-rechtfertigung-fuer-titel-a-1071334.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=10 January 2016|language=de}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Medien-Diskussion geht weiter: Wir bilden ab, was leider passiert ist|periodical=Der Tagesspiegel|url=http://www.tagesspiegel.de/medien/focus-chef-verteidigt-umstrittenes-cover-medien-diskussion-geht-weiter-wir-bilden-ab-was-leider-passiert-ist/12810242.html|access-date=30 October 2016|date=11 January 2016|language=de}}</ref> The German Press Council received several complaints about ''Focus'',<ref>{{cite web|title=Beschwerden gegen Focus-Titelbild beim Deutschen Presserat|periodical=Deutschlandfunk|url=http://www.deutschlandfunk.de/sexismus-vorwuerfe-beschwerden-gegen-focus-titelbild-beim.1818.de.html?dram:article_id=342138|access-date=30 October 2016|author=Renate Bölingen|date=11 January 2016|language=de}}</ref> but rejected all of them.<ref>{{cite web|title=Keine Rüge für den Focus: Presserat weist alle Beschwerden zur Berichterstattung in Köln ab|periodical=Meedia|url=http://meedia.de/2016/03/11/keine-ruege-fuer-den-focus-presserat-weist-alle-beschwerden-zur-berichterstattung-in-koeln-ab/|access-date=30 October 2016|date=11 March 2016|language=de|archive-date=15 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161215000036/http://meedia.de/2016/03/11/keine-ruege-fuer-den-focus-presserat-weist-alle-beschwerden-zur-berichterstattung-in-koeln-ab/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * {{official website|http://www.focus.de}} * [https://www.focus-magazin.de/ Focus Magazine] * {{Commons-inline}} {{Commonscat|Focus (German magazine)|Focus|suffix=S}} * {{DNB-Portal|016680685|TEXT=Literatur über den|NAME=Focus}}

{{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Focus}} Category:1993 establishments in Germany Category:Centre-right newspapers Category:Conservative magazines published in Germany Category:German-language magazines Category:German news websites Category:Liberal conservatism Category:Liberal media in Germany Category:News magazines published in Germany Category:Magazines established in 1993 Category:Magazines published in Munich Category:Weekly magazines published in Germany