Austria's ORF in crisis as director resigns over harassment claims
Austria's public broadcaster ORF is in turmoil after its director general resigned over sexual harassment claims. The scandal prompted an emergency meeting of top government officials during the Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles. Allegations of misconduct have now drawn comparisons to Hollywood's #MeToo movement.
Roland Weißmann stepped down as ORF's director general on Sunday with immediate effect. The foundation council had given him just days to address accusations of sexually harassing a female employee through words, images and messages. Ingrid Thurnher, the current radio director, was appointed interim leader while the broadcaster seeks a permanent replacement.
The scandal has sparked sharp reactions from politicians. Beate Meinl-Reisinger of NEOS called the revelations unsurprising, likening them to Hollywood's #MeToo reckoning. Christian Stocker of the Greens described the situation as physically sickening, questioning whether politics or public broadcasting was more corrupt. He drew parallels to violent Hollywood films, naming titles like *Blood & Sinners* and *The Secret Agent*. SPÖ leader Andreas Babler framed the crisis as a surreal nightmare, quoting folk poet Wolferl Ambros. He argued that ORF's problems mirrored deeper issues in Austrian politics—a view Meinl-Reisinger endorsed. The emergency talks in Los Angeles underscored the urgency, as officials scrambled to contain the fallout from the so-called Küniglberg affair.
Weißmann's exit leaves ORF under temporary leadership as investigations continue. The scandal has exposed systemic concerns, with lawmakers debating whether media or political institutions face greater ethical failures. Thurnher now takes charge amid calls for broader reforms at the embattled broadcaster.
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