Böhmermann wasn’t allowed to talk about mind control and instead complained about others’ lack of spine.
“ZDF Magazin Royale” actually wanted to broadcast a program about conspiracy myths and sinister forms of therapy with Jan Böhmermann at the beginning of November 2024. But the ZDF program director threw a spanner in the works. The episode was not released.
Program director prohibits broadcast
The broadcast was scheduled for November 8, 2024. But according to information from “Spiegel”, program director Nadine Bilke had prevented this plan a few days earlier. Apparently she called Jan Böhermann and forbade publication.
According to “Spiegel’s” research, it is not normal for the program management to review an entire program on its own. Normally something like this only happens when lower authorities are not sure whether something like this can be published. For example, to avoid negative consequences on sensitive topics. According to “Spiegel”, no one reported such concerns. ZDF informed them that “not all ideas will be implemented at the end of this process. This decision is the editorial responsibility of ZDF and the program management.”
Böhmermann and colleagues did not want to answer “Spiegel” about this, they say. The newspaper’s suspicion is that ZDF could have tried to avoid possible censure. The public broadcaster has often had to deal with complaints about “ZDF Magazin Royale”.
That’s what the episode was supposed to be about
A program about the conspiracy myth of mind control was originally scheduled to appear on November 8th, according to “Spiegel”. In the conspiracy theory view, those affected have been manipulated through violence in such a way that their thoughts can actually be controlled for the rest of their lives. Science doesn’t seem to buy into this idea, however; There is (of course) no evidence of this. However, the episode should also be about alleged experts who also believe in so-called “mind control” and suggest this to their patients. An allegedly dangerous form of therapy that can be particularly damaging to traumatized people.
Instead, Böhmermann focused on the spine
The episode in question had probably been planned for weeks. Even though Böhmermann and his team were not allowed to broadcast it, they still delivered a broadcast on November 8th at 11 p.m. This was about “showing backbone!” – that’s the title of the show. Böhmermann spoke not only of moral actions, but also of people who cannot stand by their words very well. Big topic: German and American politicians.