Bild (German media): is this ever a reliable source for international news ?

[steve2470]

Why do I ask ?

December 23 report:

European intelligence suggests that Russia may launch an attack on Europe during the winter of 2024-2025 if the United States finds itself "without a leader" following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the German tabloid Bild reported on Dec. 23, citing an anonymous European intelligence source.

The intelligence service source contends that a potential Russian strike on Europe could occur within the presidential transitionary period, contingent on President Joe Biden not securing re-election in the 2024 U.S. presidential election. This transition period spans three months, from the November 2024 U.S. presidential election to the subsequent inauguration in January 2025.

According to the intelligence source, Russia may aim to launch an attack on Europe during this transition, especially if the leading Republican candidate, former President Donald Trump, is re-elected. Assistance to European countries is anticipated to follow, albeit with some delay.

Links here: https://news.yahoo.com/bild-russia-may-attempt-attack-020819774.html and https://t.me/BILD_Russian/13712 (in Russian, Google translation here https://shorturl.at/vTV24 )

For the record, I am NOT trying to promote this as truth. Any feedback about Bild ? Aren't they a tabloid in Germany and their reliability is questionable, at best ?

[RainCaster]

1. Never heard of it before

[LeftInTX]

2. Tabloid

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild
Bild lit. 'Picture' is a German tabloid newspaper published by Axel Springer SE. The paper is published from Monday to Saturday; on Sundays, its sister paper Bild am Sonntag ("Bild on Sunday".) is published instead, which has a different style and its own editors. Bild is tabloid in style but broadsheet in size. It is the best-selling European newspaper and has the sixteenth-largest circulation worldwide.[4] Bild has been described as "notorious for its mix of gossip, inflammatory language, and sensationalism" and as having a huge influence on German politicians.[5] Its nearest English-language stylistic and journalistic equivalent is often considered to be the British national newspaper The Sun, the second-highest-selling European tabloid newspaper.[6][7][8]

______________

I've read it when there was stuff going on Europe. (2014) For some reason they were into the Malaysian airline. But there was some natural disaster in Europe around that time too. And some other stuff. So, I read it. It seemed like tabloid. Bild mean picture, and it's known for it's photos.

[Emrys]

3. Bild is generally regarded as sensationalist

That's not to say it makes things up all the time, but it's as well to take its headlines with a pinch of salt whatever truth may lie behind them.

The vagueness of the phrasing "attack on Europe" may indicate the reliability of the intelligence source claimed. Given moves by various European countries to step up their preparedness after the invasion of Ukraine and the continuing expansion of NATO and the EU, it's unlikely they'd need to rely on the US alone for help in the event of any moves by Putin and his depleted and preoccupied forces any time in the near to mid-future.

Even Transnistria, Russia's enclave in the small nation Moldova with an estimated force of 1,200 Russian troops, is looking precarious since Putin's adventures have helped promote solidarity in Eastern Europe, especially between Romania and Moldova. Russia's other western enclave, Kaliningrad on the Baltic, is surrounded and hemmed in by neighbours who might be itching for a score-settling fight if provoked, and Russia might not want to risk losing access to its only year-round ice-free Baltic port (though climate change may eventually alter that calculus).

Meanwhile, Putin may face his own challenges from some of the more restless Russian Federation members in the south which may feel the time is right for whatever moves they may have in mind.

[DFW]

4. Two choices: rarely, and no

Bild Zeitung is known here in Germany as being very accurate with its sports reporting, and the German version of the National Inquirer on everything else.

Years ago, one well-liked actor in Germany insisted that his roles be allowed to refer to the paper as the Blöd (stupid) Zeitung (newspaper). He was so popular that the paper, usually not shy with its legal muscle, wisely chose to look the other way, and took no action.

[steve2470]

5. Merry Christmas DFW and thanks !

Hope you and your family are well and have a great Christmas !

[DFW]

7. Thanks, Steve!!

A little problematic this year. Can’t win ‘em all, I guess.

[Trailrider1951]

6. My German teacher in high school had it and several other German publications

around for general reading for us to see real German language magazines. This was the late 1960's. I remember it being like LOOK magazine, mostly pictures and lightweight fare.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Look_(American_magazine)