Weißmann resigns

ORF upheaval: “Once again, it’s up to women to fix things”

Roland Weißmann is leaving. The election of his successor is likely to lead to another political tug-of-war.(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

Thesurprise resignation of Roland Weißmann as ORF Director General has caused a political earthquake in the country. While the SPÖ praises the swift action of the Foundation Board and the Greens welcome the resignation, the NEOS are pushing ahead and demanding a reform of the ORF committees.

The reason for the resignation is allegations of sexual harassment against Roland Weißmann. He denies them, and according to his lawyer, they have not been substantiated. However, the ORF Foundation Board had given Weißmann an ultimatum, which he preempted by resigning.

ORF upheaval shortly before the Song Contest
The SPÖ welcomes the "swift and consistent" action taken by the committee "in view of the apparently serious allegations," according to media spokesman Klaus Seltenheim. The allegations must now be clarified and the person concerned protected. For the ORF, it is now important as a first step that it continues to be well managed. After all, it has to host a huge event in Vienna in May, the Eurovision Song Contest, which has its own political explosiveness.

It is telling that, as so often, it is women who once again have to sort things out.

SPÖ-Mediensprecher Klaus Seltenheim

Bild: APA/TOBIAS STEINMAURER

Transparent process demanded
Ingrid Thurnher, who was most recently radio director, is taking over the leadership of ORF on an interim basis. She is an extremely experienced and highly competent media manager, Seltenheim praised her. "It is significant that, as so often, it is women who once again have to put things right," said the SPÖ media spokesperson. He is calling for a transparent process for the new appointment.

Previously, the NEOS had already called for a "transparent, professional, and objective process" in appointing Weißmann's successor. Only "absolute transparency" can restore trust in the ORF, NEOS Secretary General Douglas Hoyos explained in a press release.

Roland Weißmann is leaving. The election of his successor is likely to lead to another political tug-of-war.(Bild: APA/EVA MANHART)

Government goal: depoliticize ORF
Hoyos recalls the federal government's commitment to depoliticize the ORF as part of an overall reform. Now he sees an opportunity to do so. "For us at NEOS, only a transparent and legally compliant process for the new appointment can restore trust," he emphasized. 

NEOS wants to abolish the Foundation Board
Hoyos also brought up his party's long-standing demands. Instead of the Foundation Board, in which the various political camps gather in so-called circles of friends, there should be an independent supervisory board. This board should appoint and supervise a management board with a clear distribution of responsibilities. The NEOS politician is convinced that this would prevent the ORF from "continuing to degenerate into a plaything of changing governments."

Greens: ORF needs a different corporate culture
Sigrid Maurer, media spokesperson for the Greens, welcomes Roland Weißmann's resignation as correct and necessary. She also sees it as a mandate for the entire ORF: "A modern public broadcaster needs a corporate culture and structures that prevent abuse of power, protect those affected, and create a safe working environment in which respect and integrity are a matter of course," Maurer said in a press release.

Former ORF star Sonja Sagmeister spoke out on the matter:

"It hurt me"
TV journalist Sonja Sagmeister had previously voiced clear criticism of the working environment at ORF. She has now spoken out again. "Today is a special day for me," tweeted long-time ORF journalist Sonja Sagmeister. She said she had been fired twice by ORF Director General Roland Weißmann personally. Standing up against abuses such as "commissioned interviews" and hatred from men had "harmed" her.