Broadcaster ZDF dismisses prominent presenter Matthias Fornoff
In the spring, allegations of inappropriate behavior towards his subordinates by journalist Matthias Fornoff emerged among ZDF employees. Consequently, he was already moved out of his top politics position at the station before these accusations came to light. The ZDF has now announced that they have completely severed ties with Fornoff.
Fornoff started his career with ZDF in the 80s, working his way up from the Zeitgeschichte editorial department and the Berlin studio to becoming the head of politics and contemporary history in 2014. He was well-known for hosting "Politbarometer."
However, Fornoff's career as a prominent figure in public broadcasting took an abrupt turn in May. Several female employees accused him of making them uncomfortable through his behavior, leading to allegations of sexual harassment. The ZDF referred to "misconduct allegations towards female employees" but did not provide other details.
Following this, Fornoff was removed from his position as head of politics and given a minor role on the expanded editorial board without any responsibilities. However, ZDF has now officially terminated his contract, as reported by "Bild" newspaper.
No Amicable Split
According to "Bild," ZDF spokeswoman Ulla Niemann confirmed that Fornoff is no longer part of the team. The separation was reportedly not mutual. Fornoff's lawyer is challenging the termination, and he is demanding his reinstatement according to the report. The ZDF has no intention of reconsidering this decision.
Shakuntala Banerjee was already lined up to replace Fornoff as head of the main editorial department for politics and contemporary history, beginning from November 1. Until then, Antje Pieper will take charge in an interim role. Additionally, she will be the new host of "Politbarometer."
Despite losing his position as head of politics and undergoing a minor role shift within ZDF, Fornoff's tenure at the television station took a dramatic turn when allegations of misconduct towards female employees arose. Consequently, Fornoff's long-running show "Politbarometer" now has a new host in Antje Pieper.
