German Broadcaster ZDF Cancels Anti-Far-Right Song Performance by Igor Levit and Danger Dan

German public broadcaster ZDF canceled a planned live performance of the song "Keine Angst" (No Fear) by rapper Danger Dan (Daniel Pongratz) and classical pianist Igor Levit on its satire show Die Anstalt, citing concerns that the lyrics could be interpreted as incitement to violence. The song, which calls for action against the far-right, includes lines about outing "nazi pigs" with flyers and posters and ends with a reference to left-wing activists convicted or on trial for violent attacks. ZDF stated the text violated program guidelines, though the musicians claim the network's legal team had approved it weeks prior. The hosts of Die Anstalt—Max Uthoff, Claus von Wagner, and Maike Kühl—publicly criticized the decision as cowardly. After the cancellation, Levit and Danger Dan released a video of the song on YouTube, where it quickly reached number one on YouTube Trends for music in Germany. The German Journalists' Association condemned ZDF's action as an infringement on editorial freedom. The controversy occurs amid rising support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), which leads national polls and is expected to win the September state election in Saxony-Anhalt.