Eurotopics.net

The media reported intensively on Friday evening's killing spree in Munich despite a dearth of reliable information. At the same time all sorts of misinformation was circulating on Twitter and Facebook. The commentators all agree that traditional media must assume more responsibility for providing reliable coverage of such incidents in the future.

The Republican presidential candidate Trump would only assist the Baltic states in the event of a Russian attack if they fulfil their obligations vis-à-vis Nato. This statement made in an interview throws six decades of US alliance policies out the window, according to a few commentators. For others, Trump is merely repeating the usual US criticism of European military reticence.

Following the failed coup and thousands of arrests and suspensions President Erdoğan has proclaimed a state of emergency, meaning even more basic rights are being curtailed. Turkey is turning into a dictatorship, commentators fear. Others hold out hope that Erdoğan may yet return to the moderate style of goverment he used in the past.

Russia's athletes have been banned from the Olympic Games in Rio. The International Court of Arbitration for Sport decided in the last instance, rejecting the appeals of 68 athletes affected by the case. As bitter as the decision is for individual athletes it was inevitable, commentators argue.

Same-sex marriages are forbidden by law in Romania. Three million Romanians have now called in a petition for this ban to be enshrined in the constitution. Now parliament must decide whether a referendum will be held on the issue. The Romanian press comments: