Controversial evaluations surrounding ARD presenter Julia Ruhs: personal promotion potentially overshadows coworkers' efforts and achievements
In a move that has sparked debate within the German media landscape, the Norddeutscher Rundfunk (NDR) has decided to drop host Julia Ruhs from the "Klar" series. This decision comes following a campaign of harassment in public broadcasting, according to the NDR.
Ruhs, a freelance employee of the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) and author of "Left-green opinion power", has been a controversial figure due to her critical reporting on migration and her perceived conservative views. Her self-promotion strategies, particularly her use of general accusations, have also been criticised.
The "Klar" series, which aims to tackle controversial topics, will continue at the Bavarian Broadcasting Corporation with Ruhs. However, her explicit illumination of the dark sides of the immigration crisis has not been welcomed by all. Some of her opponents saw her discussions as an unforgivable breach of taboo, and did not want her to discuss these topics.
The decision to drop Ruhs is seen as a prime example of intolerance and moral arrogance in parts of editorial departments. Critics argue that the problem with Ruhs is not that she reports critically on migration or that she is conservative, but that she serves prejudices against journalism in general and her employer in particular.
The hype surrounding Ruhs, fuelled by widespread interviews and long portraits in publications such as Spiegel and Zeit, has not been reflected in the "Klar" episodes produced so far. These episodes, jointly produced by the ARD broadcasters BR and NDR, do not provide new insights.
The NDR, after the pilot phase of "Klar", is relying on its own staff instead of Ruhs, due to her self-staging at the expense of colleagues. Tanit Koch has been chosen to replace Ruhs for the NDR's episodes. Meanwhile, Ruhs will continue to moderate the episodes produced by BR.
The controversy surrounding Ruhs has led to a wider discussion about the role of publicly funded public broadcasting. Criticisms against the ARD are made, but those who defame ARD journalists as a whole as left-wing and activist are seen as moving out of the serious spectrum.
The incident has also seen some television professionals publicly scorn and mock colleague Julia Ruhs. ARD moderator Anja Reschke has been criticised for her role in this. Moreover, an advisor to the Left party set the moral low point by ridiculing a father who had lost his daughter to a stabbing in Brokstedt, and describing Ruhs' show as "Goebbels-Stürmer level".
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between free speech and responsible journalism in the public sphere. As the debate continues, it is clear that the role of journalists in shaping public opinion and the expectations placed upon them will remain a topic of ongoing discussion.
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