By Michael Sauerbier
No more self-enrichment, pomp and nepotism at RBB! The governments of Berlin and Brandenburg want to oblige the scandal transmitter to transparency and strict controls. But top politicians should continue to sit on the supervisory boards in the future.
“The time of the sun queens at RBB is over!” With pithy words, Brandenburg’s Media Secretary Benjamin Grimm (SPD) presented the draft of the new State Broadcasting Treaty on Monday, which is to apply from spring. Future station bosses should only earn around half as much as the fired scandal director Patricia Schlesinger. And no longer making important decisions alone, but together with two directors.
“This is the end of the rule of directors and two-eye decisions,” said Berlin’s Senate Chancellery chief Florian Graf (CDU), who drafted the RBB contract with Grimm. Graf: “In order to end the crisis and regain trust, there must be no taboos.”
Was fired: RBB director Patricia Schlesinger (left). Should clarify the scandal: Katrin Vernau (right) Photo: Picture Alliance/dpa/Zentralbild
The state governments are now implementing what the audit offices recommended after examining the broadcaster in May:
► The director’s salary will be reduced from 350,000 to around 180,000 euros per year – a Berlin senator’s income. Still director Katrin Vernau collects 310,000 euros including housing benefit. The new artistic director Ulrike Demmer should only get the shrinking salary from September.
► All RBB salaries and documents of importance are published, including all job advertisements.
► The seven board members must have knowledge of law, economics and broadcasting. No important financial decision should be made without their consent.
► The future 33 broadcasting councils should undergo regular training. Both supervisory bodies and the RBB bosses should be liable for their decisions!
Berlin’s Senate Chancellery chief Florian Graf (l., CDU) and Brandenburg’s media state secretary Benjamin Grimm (r., SPD) want to control the RBB better Photo: Michael Sauerbier
But: Top politicians like Berlin’s SPD faction leader Raed Saleh should continue to get involved in the Broadcasting Council. The audit offices wanted to ban them, but the state governments refused. No trace of state distance at RBB in the future either!
Also in the new state broadcasting treaty: 60 instead of 30 minutes of regional reports from Berlin and Brandenburg, an additional regional studio in Brandenburg/Havel and less advertising because that weakens the newspapers. According to BZ information, the broadcaster loses almost one million euros a year as a result.
The radio stations Fritz, RadioEins and Cosmo are to migrate to the Internet. Secretary of State Grimm: “To save on broadcasting costs.”
The RBB should not get more money for its larger regional program. Grimm: “The broadcaster has 450 million a year. I mean: That has to be enough!”