Schlesinger first says sorry and then nothing
Summer 2022, crisis at public broadcaster RBB. Director Patricia Schlesinger is accused of nepotism and waste. She has to leave her post. Schlesinger now apologizes and offers her help with the investigation - but can't say anything.
Director Patricia Schlesinger, who was dismissed without notice during the RBB crisis, has expressed her regrets to the RBB committee of inquiry in Brandenburg. In her first public appearance since her dismissal, the 62-year-old read out a statement in Potsdam and said: "I am deeply and comprehensively sorry for what happened at RBB. Very sorry."
It tears her apart, but also others, she added. The employees at Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, including former employees, are particularly affected. The public broadcaster plunged into a deep crisis in the summer of 2022. Accusations of nepotism and waste were leveled against the station's top management. Schlesinger said in her statement that she had great respect for the parliamentary instrument of the U-Committee.
She would like to contribute to objectification, also because of some alleged, written untruths. It is about public service broadcasting "for all of us". "In these highly complex political times, it is more important than ever," added the 62-year-old. However, in view of the ongoing investigation against her by the Berlin Public Prosecutor General's Office, it is "unfortunately not yet possible" to make any substantive statements.
Schlesinger had rejected the accusations during the crisis. Her lawyer then explained that she would not provide any information beyond her statement in response to questions from committee members. By law, there is a right to refuse to give evidence. The committee wanted to question Schlesinger about the multi-million euro construction project Digitales Medienhaus, which has since been scrapped by RBB. The costs had gradually skyrocketed.
Husband also called to testify
The committee of inquiry in the state parliament in Potsdam wants to find out how exactly the legal supervision of the state of Brandenburg over the crisis-ridden RBB took place and whether it was carried out properly. The AfD had requested it. According to the state treaty, the ARD broadcaster is subject to state legal supervision. In the event of a breach of legal provisions, the supervisory authority can point out measures or omissions to the broadcaster or issue a reprimand. The committee is also investigating whether there were any irregularities in the use of financial resources by RBB.
Schlesinger's husband Gerhard Spörl also appeared as a witness before the committee. He also made use of his right to refuse to testify in response to questions. In addition to Schlesinger, the public prosecutor's office is also investigating Spörl. The presumption of innocence applies until a legally binding conclusion is reached.
The investigative committee also wanted to question Spörl about the Digital Media House and possible consultancy contracts. The 73-year-old former "Spiegel" journalist made a brief statement at the very beginning. Among other things, Spörl said that he could not say anything about the Digital Media House because he had not been involved. There had also been no contracts between him and his consultancy firm on the one hand and RBB and its advertising subsidiary RBB Media on the other in the context of the new building project.
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Despite the ongoing investigation by the Berlin Public Prosecutor General's Office, Dirctor Patricia Schlesinger expressed her regret to the International Committee of Inquiry in Potsdam, following the RBB crisis. She mentioned the importance of objectivity in public service broadcasting, specifically the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg, and expressed her wish to contribute, despite being unable to make any substantive statements due to the investigation.
The committee of inquiry in Brandenburg's state parliament also sought testimony from Schlesinger's husband, Gerhard Spörl, who, like his wife, invoked his right to refuse to testify in response to questions regarding the Digitales Medienhaus project and any potential consultancy contracts.
Source: www.ntv.de
