The ZDF affair is coming to a head: now the minister and tv council are attacking the station harshly | EUROtoday

At the tip of September, the “frontal 21” journalist Andreas Halbach made critical allegations towards the general public broadcaster at a listening to within the NRW Culture and Media Committee on a brand new state media treaty. Halbach had closely criticized the buildings in Second German Television (ZDF) and in contrast the facility relations there with these within the Catholic Church. The TV reporter reported on makes an attempt at intimidation, withheld analysis outcomes, compelled transfers and a working ambiance through which criticism just isn’t welcome.

ZDF affair: “Frontal21” man castigated “internal censorship” at ZDF

After this assertion, Halbach later stated in interviews, he was sidelined professionally. The Mainz broadcaster, nevertheless, spoke of false allegations.

NRW minister intervenes: “Damages the station’s reputation”

The actions of the Mainz broadcaster elevate questions for the state authorities in Düsseldorf. As FOCUS on-line realized, Media Minister Nathanael Liminski, who additionally serves as a member of the ZDF tv council, responded to the large criticism from journalist Halbach within the state parliament. The CDU politician requested the director of the general public tv station, Norbert Himmler, for a press release.

“According to the minister, the process is damaging the station’s reputation,” stated a spokesman in response to a FOCUS on-line request. “The minister will also ask the directorate for a statement on Joe Sperling’s now published statements.”

Allegations towards ZDF editor-in-chief: The Hamas affair

Liminski additionally expects solutions to questions in regards to the fact of her public statements from Bettina Schausten. On October 19, the ZDF editor-in-chief strongly condemned an Israeli assault within the Gaza Strip as a result of a media employee working for ZDF was killed there. Schausten rejected statements by the Israeli navy that it was a focused assault on a Hamas terrorist, citing his “own investigations”.

Liminski calls for defense of ZDF requirements

ZDF tv councilor Liminski can be calling for clarification on this matter. “The contributors are understandably unsettled, so ZDF’s statement that the Hamas member had no influence on the reporting was urgently necessary and even overdue,” defined the minister.

Just as each firm should adjust to the necessities of the Supply Chain Act as a way to adhere to strict requirements within the worth chain, “a public media outlet like ZDF must avoid even the appearance of doubt about compliance with standards. This includes that at no point in the ZDF value chain does a member of a terrorist organization like Hamas take on any function whatsoever. It is good that the broadcaster communicates about this.”

In view of the scope, the CDU politician needs to place the problem again on the agenda of the tv council.