Non-profit organization Lobbycontrol identifies conflict of interest between designated Minister of Culture Wolfram Weimer and his role as shareholder of Weimer Media Group. “Wolfram Weimer has a clear conflict of interest as a media entrepreneur” said Aurel Eschmann, expert in lobbying regulation at Lobbycontrol, to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland”. “As Minister of Culture, he is responsible for the Deutsche Welle, the public broadcaster that competes with his company. This conflict cannot be resolved even if he leaves the management of the Weimer Group, as his wife remains the sole managing director. It is assumed that he still holds shares in the company as a founder.” Eschmann added, “Weimer has previously questioned public broadcasting institutions and called for the privatization of the ZDF. It is questionable whether this conflict can be resolved and whether Weimer is suitable for this position.
Minister’s Media Stake Raises Questions
