The editor of German journal Die Aktuelle has been sacked after utilizing a man-made intelligence programme to generate faux quotes from seven-time Formula One champion Michael Schumacher, the media group Funke introduced.
Anne Hoffmann had stirred up a storm of controversy when on Wednesday the journal printed the interview — the primary since Schumacher suffered a critical mind harm in a 2013 snowboarding accident within the French Alps.
Schumacher’s household, who’ve fastidiously guarded the 54-year-old’s privateness for the reason that accident, mentioned they have been planning authorized motion.
Bianca Pohlmann, director of the Funke journal group, apologised to the household on Saturday.
“This article was in bad taste and misleading and should never have appeared,” mentioned Pohlmann in a press release.
“It does not meet in any way the standards of journalism that we — and our readers — expect of a group like Funke.
“The editor in chief of ‘Die Aktuelle’, Anne Hoffmann, who has been in cost since 2009, has been relieved of her position as of now.”
The article included quotes attributed to Schumacher, discussing his family life since the accident and his medical condition.
Schumacher has not been seen in public since the injury and little information has been given publicly on his condition.
Reports suggest Schumacher has memory, movement and speech problems and is being cared for at home near Geneva.
“‘Private is personal’, as he all the time mentioned,” Corinna Schumacher, Michael’s wife, said in a 2021 Netflix documentary.
“Michael all the time protected us and now we’re defending Michael.”
Schumacher’s seven Formula One titles is equal greatest alongside Lewis Hamilton. The German recorded 91 Grand Prix victories, second solely to Hamilton’s 103.
Michael’s son, Mick, 24, can be a Formula One driver and at the moment a reserve driver with Mercedes.