Süddeutsche Zeitung Magazin, 03 May 2026. Christian Drosten, Director of Virology at the Charité, speaking with forester and author Peter Wohlleben:
“I do believe that professional quality assurance is very important — in publishing, journalism, film and podcasts.”
Two months after the Berlin II Regional Court’s ruling against Correctiv, two versions of the same story are circulating. In one, a “painstakingly constructed edifice of lies” is collapsing, prizes must be returned, the democracy rallies were propaganda. In the other, Correctiv has won “a victory for press freedom” and the investigation stands.
On March 13, 2026, Norbert Himmler was re-elected as ZDF director by the Television Council. No opposing candidate. 48 out of 53 votes. Calling it North Korean would be an exaggeration — but democratic it is not.
Germany’s public broadcaster demands whistleblower protection – as long as it doesn’t affect their own network
There are moments when institutions expose themselves so thoroughly that all you can do as an observer is sit back in disbelief. Germany’s ZDF just delivered one such moment – a double one, at that.
