The Bavarian Minister-President Markus Söder has publicly criticized the North German Broadcasting Corporation (NDR) regarding the recent dismissal of presenter Julia Ruhs following concerns about the format “Klar”. Söder, in an interview with the German weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”, expressed concern that the situation has damaged the reputation of public service broadcasting as a whole and specifically the NDR.
While both Bavarian Broadcasting (BR) and NDR intended to continue the format-often perceived as having a conservative leaning-following its pilot phase, Ruhs will now present follow-up programs for BR. Meanwhile, Tanit Koch, previously involved in CDU election campaign communications following her tenure as editor-in-chief of “Bild” newspaper, will take over the NDR programs.
Söder voiced his apprehension that a conservative viewpoint is increasingly difficult to represent within the public broadcasting system. He suggested the NDR’s handling of the situation created the impression of a predetermined filter in personnel selection, reinforcing perceptions that public broadcasters are skewed towards a left-leaning, particularly green, political stance.
The Bavarian politician also opposed calls from CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann, advocating for a freeze on broadcasting fees to pressure broadcasters into reform. Söder argued that fees should not be used as a means to reward or punish content, but rather assessed based on the justification for ongoing expenditure or potential for savings within the public broadcasters.
Söder further questioned the choice of Tanit Koch as Ruhs’ replacement, describing the appointment as a “fig leaf” intended to deflect public criticism. He suggested that the hurried replacement, given Koch’s prior association with “Bild” newspaper, lacked credibility and risks fueling distrust within democratic-critical circles. Söder cautioned that such actions can inadvertently promote the impression that public broadcasters are staffed with personnel chosen for political expediency.