A demand paper published online for changes in public broadcasting has led to headwind from the editorial representatives in the houses. The working group of public editors' committees at ARD, ZDF, Deutschlandradio and Deutsche Welle (Agra) announced on Thursday: They contradict the paper on essential points.
The Agra statement continued: "The impression that only given opinions are discussed and disseminated on the broadcasters and that only 'mainstream' topics and reporting can take place is wrong." There is a lively culture of debate everywhere in which all opinions would be expressed. Reporting generally takes place according to journalistic principles. The editorial committees in the houses are formed from elected representatives of the editors.
The day before, a group of initial signatories, some of whom were anonymous, had distributed the paper and posted it online. There are said to be more than 100 people involved. The German Journalists Association (DJV) demanded transparency from the group.
The paper emphasized that employees in public broadcasting were also among those involved. The "manifesto" complains, among other things, that opinion-making and reporting are increasingly becoming blurred in a way that "contradicts the principles of serious journalism." There is also an increasing discrepancy between the program mandate and implementation. The paper also lists a number of reform proposals.
»ZDF employees have the opportunity to express themselves critically at any time«
In a reaction to the paper, ZDF said that the broadcaster expressly welcomes and promotes pluralism of opinions, both in the program, in society and in the company. "ZDF employees have the opportunity to express themselves critically at any time, not only at internal dialogue events and in editorial conferences." A constructive culture of respectful dialogue is also part of the company's own guidelines. As far as can be seen, only one freelancer of the ZDF employees signed the paper.
An ARD spokesman said: "The document that has now been published, which some employees of ARD media companies have apparently co-signed, partly reflects a discussion that is ongoing in the ARD media companies." Part of the contribution-financed public broadcasting is: that he faces critical discussions. “This of course includes a self-critical examination of one’s own actions.” In this discussion, every contribution deserves to be heard. The fact that a document like the so-called manifesto appears is an expression of the fact that there is diversity of opinion and freedom of expression in the ARD media companies.
wal/dpa