Ex-BR editor-in-chief Sigmund Gottlieb on the ARD scandal: "A systemic campaign"

Created: 09/21/2022, 12:36 p.m

By: Stefanie Thyssen

"ARD and ZDF shouldn't buckle": Sigmund Gottlieb would like the broadcasters to have more self-confidence.

© Soeren Stache

From 1995 to 2017, Sigmund Gottlieb was editor-in-chief of Bavarian television.

We spoke to the 70-year-old about ARD, ZDF, the discussion about the fees and the Schlesinger cause.

Mr Gottlieb, you were recently a guest at a CSU event that was headed by the question: “Do we still need ARD & ZDF?” In light of recent events, did you have any doubts about that?

Sigmund Gottlieb:

To be honest, I thought for a long time whether I should even take part in an event with such a title.

The question alone is completely wrong!

Schlesinger and the other examples are isolated cases that are being rigorously investigated at the moment.

But what we are experiencing is a systemic campaign against the public broadcasters.

Who do you think is coming from?

Sigmund Gottlieb:

Let's put it this way: Of course there are commercial competitors who see an adversary in the public service, especially in the area of ​​information.

Then a good opportunity is grabbed by the forelock and a system is made out of an individual case.

"Lack of diversity of opinion", "re-education" and "waste" are keywords that come up again and again, now also printed on the posters of the CSU event.

Sigmund Gottlieb:

So, accusing ARD and ZDF of a re-education idea is absolute nonsense, just like accusing the system of waste.

I don't know of any institution or company that is subject to such public and internal observation as public broadcasting.

And: Hardly any system has been saving for years and up to the pain limit, namely down to the program, like that one.

Unfortunately, it is not visible in public.

The fact that savings are being made on the program is discussed quite loudly - especially against the background that in the executive suites people tend to splurge rather than save.

Sigmund Gottlieb:

I repeat: It's about individual cases that are being pushed through some media day and night.

It is wrong and unfair to describe these transgressions as if everything were systematic.

When I became editor-in-chief at BR, I initially took over the furniture from my predecessor.

It didn't affect my performance in any way.

I wasn't even given a company car.

But what I have to say: I had more money available for the programming than my colleagues do today.

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What about diversity of opinion?

Sigmund Gottlieb:

Yes, that's one thing.

Sometimes I miss the bourgeois, the conservative point of view.

Left-Green positions are more strongly represented on ARD and ZDF.

What are you up to?

Sigmund Gottlieb:

About the variety of comments.

One could imagine somewhat more balanced positions.

Overall, however, I have to say: the way this whole discussion is being conducted, so excited, is problematic.

It's time to dig a little deeper into the subject.

I would also like to see a little more self-confidence from ARD and ZDF.

They could point out more often that without them there would be far less information in Germany.

I understand that you are an advocate of ARD and ZDF.

But you could turn a few screws, couldn't you?

Sigmund Gottlieb:

Of course!

Reforms must be.

And remain the subject of political discussion.

Of course, more transparency is also needed, especially with regard to costs.

And multiple structures also need to be reduced.

But I'm sticking to it: ARD and ZDF shouldn't buckle.

And: Let's leave the church in the village: 18.36 euros - that's a beer with a fish roll at the Oktoberfest.

For some, that's probably too much.

But the bottom line is that's not excessive given the quality that's being delivered.