Chats with late consequences

End of a career: Former editor-in-chief leaves ORF

After 30 years at ORF, former editor-in-chief Matthias Schrom is now leaving the company - at his own request, according to reports. The controversial chats with former FPÖ leader Heinz-Christian Strache had previously been his undoing.

With the signature of Director General Roland Weißmann and Matthias Schrom, the (amicable) end of a successful ORF career was sealed. After more than 30 years, the former editor-in-chief of ORF 2 TV information is leaving the broadcaster at his own request.

Final departure
As reported, the Tyrolean had resigned in November 2022 after awkward late-night political interventions between the then FPÖ leader Strache and himself ("Those who believe they have to save the SPÖ are becoming fewer" or "ORF 1 is even more left-wing"), but remained with the state broadcaster as head of the "Smart Producing" project.

Now the final departure: 51-year-old Schrom wants to make another career start. The decision has nothing to do with new evaluations of cell phone short messages with the fallen former blue grandee. ORF "wishes him all the best for the future".