He had a good time – at the expense of fee payers. Now Patricia Schlesinger (61) has got rid of her two jobs in public broadcasting in Germany. At first she resigned from the presidency of ARD, shortly thereafter as director of Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB).
Schlesinger has been the director of the RBB since 2016. Prior to this, he headed the Culture and Documentation Program in the NDR. Schlesinger will preside over ARD by the end of 2023.
The pressure on him was enormous when it became known that he was said to have financed an expensive lifestyle with fee money. Among other things, he had renovated his office. Removed old carpet and put in new parquet. Cost Point: Equivalent to about 16,500 francs. In addition, new furniture for around 60,000 francs, as reported by “Build”.
profitable jobs for husband
The conversion alone is said to have been budgeted for over 640,000 francs. In addition, Schlesinger is said to have not properly billed for dinner at his private apartment, for which RBB had fee-financed, and also used his company car for private visits. Among other things, the guests were served a four-course menu. These include wild salmon and pumpkin salad or venison and chanterelles.
In addition, RBB board chairman Wolf-Dieter Wolf (78) is said to have charmed Schlesinger’s husband and former “Spiegel” journalist Gerhard Sporl (72) in his role as chairman of the state’s supervisory board. Consultancy jobs are provided. Messi Berlin. Their total value is said to have been CHF 136,000.
The RBB had announced before resigning in response to allegations that plans for a new building would be put on hold. In addition, Wolf must temporarily no longer use his office.
For him, the return was a logical consequence.
Schlesinger announced his ARD resignation on Thursday. On Sunday she announced that she would also step down from the RBB chair. He justified his decision with his responsibility to the broadcaster and its employees.
“Currently, the journalism and journalistic performance of the station is no longer in the foreground, it is only about possible and alleged misconduct on the part of the director,” she explained. “I deeply regret this and apologize to the RBB staff for this development.”
He added that his return is the logical consequence of his promise to always and first stand up for the interests of the RBB. At the same time, “personal accusations and defamation had reached a level that made it personally impossible for me to remain in office,” Schlesinger explained. “I hope with this move I will facilitate pending clarification of the allegations.”
«Willpower and transparency should not be flagged»
The German Association of Journalists (DJV) welcomed Schlesinger’s departure from the RBB leadership. “In the wake of unresolved allegations of mismanagement and favoritism, which Patricia Schlesinger has not credibly denied, it is right and coherent that she resign with immediate effect,” said DJV national president Frank Berall (51). When looking for a successor, it is important to find a manager who is technically competent and has absolute integrity.
Stefan Grimberg, president of the DJV Berlin/JVBB, insisted that Schlesinger’s resignation was not enough. “The desire for knowledge and transparency should not be flagged,” he explained. It should be thoroughly researched whether and, if so, the extent to which the amount received from the broadcast fee has been improperly spent. Furthermore, it is now important to “strengthen the backs of our allies in the RBB in order to regain lost trust”. (JMH/AFP)
