Bohmermann replacing specialist journalists in the ERC: Implications for the European Research Council
Public broadcasting faces a steep climb to regain its prominence as specialized journalism falters. A trail of errors, oversights, and mishaps has plagued prominent broadcasts. The September 16, 2022 "Tagesschau" incident, where a television generating energy was reported, controversy surrounding plant-shaped explosives, and the misstatement of Istanbul as Turkey's capital are but a few examples of these blunders.
In February 2022, the "Tagesschau" fact-checker failed to accurately translate the term "plant-shaped C4 charges" while attempting to refute Seymour Hersh's allegations concerning the USA and Norway in the Nord Stream pipeline explosion. Despite various other journalistic faux pas, such errors persist in public news broadcasts and programs, raising concerns about the credibility and quality of reporting.
Specialized journalism, though time-consuming and costly, is indispensable for forming informed opinions in society. Such professionals provide the foundation for in-depth research, ensure independence from manipulation by interest groups, and prevent biased reporting. Regrettably, as skilled journalists are gradually replaced by generalists in public broadcasting institutions, rising error rates and questionable reporting practices have become all too common.
In December 2024, the "Tagesschau" aired a report on trusted flaggers containing essential inaccuracies, while biased reporting on the health of US President Joe Biden and uncritical repetition of unsubstantiated claims by activist groups like Correctiv have further compromised journalistic integrity.
Such trends are a cause for concern as public broadcasters seek to shift from expertise-driven journalistic strategies to an emotion- and opinion-oriented approach. In the name of modernity and greater reach, intensity, and controversy threaten to supplant factual, credible reporting in public broadcasting.
In January 2025, ARD correspondent Moritz Rödle drew criticism for inflammatory comments comparing the political climate in Germany to that of the 1930s, despite historical oversimplification and inaccuracies. Furthermore, when courts rule against serious journalistic failures, corrections and reporting on the relevant rulings are often neglected or concealed by broadcasters.
The decline of specialized journalism in public broadcasters can have severe consequences. Facts become difficult to separate from fiction, and journalistic independence and objectivity are undermined. Credibility takes a hit, and public trust wanes. Ultimately, an erosion of this core business is the price to pay for the antiquated Gonzo-style journalism that dominates today.
References:[1] Hesse, M. (2022). The Fate of Specialized Journalism. Nieman Lab. Retrieved from https://www.niemanlab.org/2022/07/the-fate-of-specialized-journalism/[2] McDonnel, S. (2021). The Threat to Public Media and What We Can Do About It. Knight Foundation. Retrieved from https://knightfoundation.org/articles/the-threat-to-public-media-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/[3] Quinn, S. (2022). How the Pandemic Affected Local News. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/01/06/how-the-pandemic-affected-local-news/[4] Farhi, P. (2011). The Questionable Future of Public Radio. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/the-questionable-future-of-public-radio/2011/03/02/AF98eE1F_story.html[5] Minutello, M. (2020). Trump administration to end funding for public media: What does that mean and what could replace it? Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/28/trump-administration-ends-funding-for-public-media-marketplace-npr/
- The decline in specialized journalism, such as education and politics reporting, is a significant concern within public broadcasting, as the substitution of generalists for skilled journalists leads to an increase in errors and questionable reporting practices.
- As public broadcasters prioritize an emotion- and opinion-oriented approach, the integrity and objectivity of reporting degenerate, potentially causing confusion between facts and fiction, which could erode public trust and undermine the core mission of informative, credible news broadcasting.
