The interim chairman of ARD and director of Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR), Tom Buhrow, has spoken out in favor of a comprehensive reform of public service broadcasting (ÖRR) in Germany. In an interview with WELT AM SONNTAG, Buhrow said: “2023 will be the year of the reform of public broadcasting.”
It’s wrong to say that anyone who challenges the status quo is betraying public broadcasting, Buhrow said. “The opposite is the case. Those who cling to the status quo endanger the future of public service broadcasting.”
Now it’s about repositioning what is important and valuable about the ÖRR. Buhrow announced a thorough examination of all broadcast formats and structures. He said: “Is every product test, every consumer tip, every climate report really regional diversity? Or can you also bundle some things in competence centers?”
His thoughts about merging ARD and ZDF if necessary also remain on the table. “Anyone who wants to limit the contribution above all must also tackle such taboo questions, must at least discuss them.”
Buhrow made a commitment to the continued existence of the ÖRR: “I will always defend public service broadcasting because I am convinced that we are doing something very valuable.” But that does not mean that it should be preserved in its current form.
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