RTL leaves reporter who apparently smeared herself with mud for the contribution

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Screenshot from video with Susanna Ohlen and crew in Bad Münstereifel

RTL promised »shocking shots« from the areas affected by the flood disaster: reporter Susanna Ohlen reported on the clean-up work in Bad Münstereifel and appeared to be smeared with mud - obviously, the pictures conveyed that, she had tackled it herself and got herself dirty in the process.

RTL considers pictures to be credible

An anonymous video clip has now surfaced via social media in which Ohlen and her TV team can be seen standing in the midst of junk and rubble, presumably waiting for filming to start.

At one point Ohlen bends down, reaches into a puddle and apparently spreads the brackish water on her face.

The impression arises that she deliberately made herself dirty for the TV pictures in order to appear personally affected.

RTL considers the pictures taken from a house to be credible, but wants to get to the bottom of the allegations internally.

»Our reporter's approach clearly contradicts journalistic principles and our own standards.

We therefore gave her a leave of absence on Monday after we found out about it, "said an RTL spokeswoman on Thursday.

Previously, »Bild« and »tz« reported.

Ohlen also works as a presenter for the RTL magazine "Guten Morgen Deutschland", where the report was broadcast from the flood areas.

Among other things, it has already led through the »jungle camp«.

hpi / dpa