berlin far-right alternative germany afd saturday drop controversial bid data ethnic background private view journalists concern surface registration form party congress party initial registration form spark sharp criticism friday german journalists association prompt investigation berlin data protection office party rail call islamisation europe fake news coverage mainstream news outlets become third large force german bundestag low house parliament sept. 24 elections afd officials decline comment stuttgarter zeitung newspaper first report issue friday respond request comment reuters however party spokesman downplay controversy issue post twitter saturday test version delete start immediately journalists use official registration form website afd spokesman christian lueth write twitter initial media version ask journalists check box agree collection storage use personal data provide name medium press pass number well special data form reference section germany data protection law list special data include racial ethnic background political view religious philosophical convictions union membership health sexual orientation party require basic information registration journalists ask personal detail unacceptable intrusion private affairs journalists say hendrik zoerner spokesman german journalists association call afd immediately remove require agreement afd nearly 13 percent vote sept. 24 make third large party bundestag low house parliament first far-right group move legislature half century german civil right group mobilize stage large protest start party congress northern city hanover dec. 2. german far-right party drop bid journalists private data