Crisis of confidence in the broadcaster: Two bosses are being transferred to the NDR in Kiel

Although the allegations that they had prevented critical reports and provided a "political filter" in the Kiel state radio station of the NDR have not been confirmed, the editor-in-chief Norbert Lorentzen and the political chief Julia Stein have been transferred to other posts.

Because of the loss of trust, said the state radio station director Volker Thormählen, he informed the two "that I will no longer work with them".

He will "make sure, with the support of the management, that both are given new jobs outside of the Schleswig-Holstein state broadcasting center." Some time ago, Lorentzen and Stein had asked for them to be released from their jobs until further notice in view of the unresolved allegations.

Thormählen, meanwhile, continues as director of the state radio station after an unpaid vacation.

According to the NDR, director Joachim Knuth asked him for this.

Thormählen should outline how the problems in the state broadcasting center should be solved.

The internal investigation of two NDR editors who work at other locations had shown that Lorentzen and Stein, contrary to what was initially said, had not suppressed reports for political or personal reasons.

Nevertheless, mistakes were made in a planned interview with the former Minister of the Interior Hans-Joachim Grote (CDU) or a contribution about the German Red Cross.

The two internal auditors noted a very poor working atmosphere as a formative impression. Numerous employees had previously stated that they no longer wanted to work with the bosses.

Colleagues were intimidated, ironed out and put under pressure, Thormählen said, according to NDR.

Such a working atmosphere is not acceptable and must not be repeated.

Today he knows that "in parts there was a culture that is not acceptable, that is not compatible with my principles and that I should have taken action earlier".

The broadcaster announced a "cultural" new beginning in Kiel, on Thursday there should be internal first rounds of talks.

The external review of the allegations in Kiel initiated by the State Broadcasting Council control body is ongoing.

Results are not yet available.

The chairwoman of the state broadcasting council of Schleswig-Holstein, Laura Pooth, announced on Tuesday about the internal processing report that it was an important step that the first results were available.