The Rise of "Breitbart News".
VAUSE: Angela Merkel's open-border policy is looking to be a political liability for her re-election bid. The German chancellor is facing pressure from her party and the public over the refugee crisis, and two horrific rape and murder cases allegedly by newly arrived migrants. Here's Atika Shubert.</s>BVGT ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A grisly crime, a woman raped and murdered, and her body found in a nearby river. The attack happened in October. These pictures were blurred by local TV out of respect for the family. Police, citing DNA evidence, have arrested and charged a 17-year-old Afghan refugee who arrived in Germany last year. The case has played into public fears of a refugee crime surge. Merkel is facing pressure from voters and her own party for allowing more than 890,000 asylum seekers into the country last year. Initially, Germans opened their doors, and there was a special word for it,</s>ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translation): I have also asked you for a lot. I know that very well and I cannot promise the demands in the future will be any less because we have to do what the times demand from us.</s>SHUBERT: Merkel needs to show she can win back public confidence, but with brutal crimes like this in the headlines, she faces an uphill battle. Atika Shubert, CNN, Berlin.</s>VAUSE: Right now, across Europe, political parties from the far right with their anti-immigrant, anti-globalization and nationalist policies are on the rise. And while many see that as a reason for concern, "Breitbart News" sees only opportunity. The conservative website was an early backer of Donald Trump and its popularity has surged over the past year. And now the company plans to launch sites in France and Germany. It's already up and running in Britain. CNN senior media correspondent and host of "Reliable Sources," Brian Stelter, is in New York for more on the rise of "Breitbart News." Brian, the "Breitbart" formula, the combination of clickbait and outrageous headlines, have worked in the U.S. Will it work in Europe?</s>BRIAN STELTER, CNN SENIOR MEDIA CORRESPONDENT & CNN HOST, RELIABLE SOURCES: There are reasons to believe it can work well in France and Germany where the company is planning to expand. There is a "Breitbart U.K.," London based. It was supportive of the Brexit vote and the end of the party used that content, used the stories during the campaigning there in Britain. I think we could see similar moves in France and Germany and potentially other countries as well. [01:45:]</s>VAUSE: In some ways, the move seems at odds with the ethos of the "Breitbart" brand.</s>STELTER: In the United States, the brand is specifically a nationalist brand, some have also tied it to the Alt-Right. Steve Bannon who was the head of "Breitbart News" now Donald Trump's chief strategist said the site is a platform for the Alt-Right. But there are versions of this that can apply in other countries. "Breitbart" has a clear operational model to win audiences by appealing to an anti-globalist and anti-immigrant sentiment and aligning itself with an opposition party. I thought that comment hit the nail on the head. "Breitbart" can latch on to these movements in specific countries, appeal to the movements and the people who believe in them and try to persuade minds at the same time.</s>VAUSE: "Breitbart" has run into trouble on the revenue side. Kellogg's has pulled advertising after consumer complaints. In Germany, companies like BMW have black-banned the site as well. Is this a problem for "Breitbart" moving forward?</s>STELTER: You'll going to continue to see issues with advertisers attempts at boycotts. We have seen that in the U.S. In recent days on the heels of the Kellogg decision to persuade others to remove the ads. Whether big, global Fortune 500-type companies are willing to advertise or not, there will always be companies and sponsors willing to line up with the brand. You think about FOX News and talk radio in the U.S., still has some advertisers despite attempts at boycotts. Although is it a challenge, it is a headwind for "Breitbart" as it moves into new countries. It can find advertiser support. And there are other ways for them to make money. They have created online stores and tried to sell merchandise, and monetizing the site is clearly not the only intent or the only goal for its creators and leaders, people like Steve Bannon. I talked to Bannon a couple months ago. He was bragging, celebrating the success of "Breitbart" in the U.S., and tying it to nationalist movements in Europe. It was clear in his mind Trump, and what was happening in the U.S., was related to other countries.</s>VAUSE: I guess with that in mind the revenue from advertisers isn't as crucial because it's backed mostly by private backers. Is it fair to say the company is driven by an ideological motive as opposed by a profit motive?</s>STELTER: I think they are driven by both. As opposed to FOX News which makes billions of dollars in revenue in the United States, that's not what "Breitbart" does today and will not do tomorrow. It's a different kind of model. I think of it, once Trump is in the White House, the closest thing that Trump will have to state-run media. The site is pro-Trump in the United States. And that formula can clearly apply in other countries.</s>VAUSE: Brian, thank you for being with us.</s>STELTER: Thank you.</s>VAUSE: Much appreciated. Next here on NEWSROOM L.A., the story of a 95-year-old veteran making his first trip to Pearl Harbor since that day which will live in infamy.