"The directors are generally too powerful"

As a consequence of the events at Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB), the head of the Saxony-Anhalt State Chancellery, Rainer Robra (CDU), is pushing for fundamental changes in the management of public broadcasters.

"The directors are generally too powerful," said Robra of the weekly newspaper "Die Zeit". Instead, what is needed is “a board of directors based on stock corporation law, in which power is distributed”.

The grievances at RBB are "systemic," says media politician Robra, who has been pushing for a reform of the ARD for many years: "The system requires very strong personalities at its top because it creates temptations that you shouldn't create." You shouldn't pretend that what happened under RBB director Patricia Schlesinger couldn't happen anywhere else.

Therefore, he promotes "that we take the Schlesinger case as an opportunity for a courageous ARD reform," said the CDU politician: "If it is not possible to reform the ARD even now, acceptance will be close to zero."

From Robra's point of view, the stations' boards of directors need more external professionals. In addition, every member of the supervisory bodies should be better supported by the broadcasters and given the right to request small reports.