By Gunnar Schupelius
The self-service at the RBB does not want to end. Intendant Vernau apparently didn’t come to remove privileges, but to secure them, including for herself, says Gunnar Schupelius.
Exactly three months ago, the director of the RBB, Patricia Schlesinger, was fired: allegations of corruption and nepotism.
A system of privilege and self-enrichment had been exposed in the boardroom, unbelievable salaries and additional payments came to light.
Since then, the station has given the impression of being cleaned up. Administrative director Katrin Vernau from WDR in Düsseldorf was appointed as the new director. It should stop wasting fee money.
But Mrs. Vernau, of all people, secured a good drink from the bottle in her own contract: an additional payment of 1,500 euros per month for her second home in Berlin and a first-class rail card for 7,000 euros per year.
And that with an annual salary of 297,000 euros gross!
Nothing shows us more clearly than this revelation that self-service at RBB will not end. Apparently, Mrs. Vernau did not come to remove privileges, but to secure them, also for herself.
Two other examples point to this: program director Jan Schulte-Kellinghaus (215,000 euros/year) was accused of nepotism. He offered his resignation.
Intendant Vernau praised him for allegedly waiving his salary. In truth, however, Schulte-Kellinghaus demanded a severance payment. The sum could amount to up to one million euros. But the tidy-up Vernau didn’t mention that. This was revealed by Business Insider magazine.
Second example: The former editor-in-chief Christoph Singelnstein receives a consultant salary of 6300 euros per month as an “author” and for “other activities” in addition to his RBB pension of 8700 euros per month.
Employees of the RBB and the NDR brought this contract from the Schlesinger swamp to light. Apparently Ms. Vernau hadn’t touched the outrageous “consultant salary” yet.
The building of the rbb television center Photo: picture alliance / Eibner-Presse
Instead, the director announced austerity measures on the program. ARD boss Tom Buhrow (413,000 euros annual salary) had already said: “We have to reduce the scope of our offer.”
But that’s not true, this argument is a smoke screen. Because first the salaries in the executive floors and the lavish staffing there must shrink.
Then the core tasks in the program can be easily financed, which primarily include information and culture. The public service broadcasters have an important task here.
Three months after Schlesinger was thrown out, it turns out that reform can only come from outside. Berlin and Brandenburg have to change the Interstate Broadcasting Treaty.
The executive floors must be cut back to a normal size. That is as clear as day, but the two state parliaments are not making any progress with this step.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]