Spiegel

Spiegel is the German word for “mirror” and is used as a proper noun in several contexts, most notably as the title of Der Spiegel, a German weekly news magazine.

Der Spiegel was founded in 1947 in Hamburg by Rudolf Augstein and a group of editors, and is published by Spiegel-Verlag. It is one of the most influential news magazines in the German-speaking world, offering coverage across politics, economy, society, science, and culture. The magazine is known for its in-depth reporting and investigative journalism, often delivering long-form features and scoops that shape public discourse.

The publication has played a central role in German public life and has been involved in high-profile stories and debates. Its 1962 Spiegel affair, in which authorities briefly challenged or censored the magazine after a critical report on the military, is regarded as a watershed for press freedom in West Germany.

Der Spiegel also operates online through Spiegel Online (spiegel.de), which broadened its reach in the digital era and complements the weekly print edition. The Spiegel-Verlag publishing house continues to produce the weekly magazine alongside various digital and special issue formats.

Beyond the magazine, Spiegel is the generic German noun for “mirror” and is used in a range of contexts, including as a surname and in various brand names and titles. In contemporary media discourse, the name Spiegel most commonly refers to Der Spiegel and its associated digital outlets.