ORF's Roland Weißmann resigns amid sexual harassment allegations
Roland Weißmann has stepped down as ORF's general director following allegations of sexual harassment. The claims, linked to events in 2022, have prompted an internal review and sparked discussions within the broadcaster's leadership. Ingrid Thurnher, currently head of ORF radio, has taken over as interim director while the search for a permanent replacement continues.
Weißmann, once a leading candidate for the ORF director role, resigned after the harassment accusation surfaced. He has denied the allegations, but the ORF Board of Trustees has already formed a task force to examine the details and background of the case.
Thurnher's appointment as interim director follows years of high-profile work at ORF. Starting as a TV announcer, she later became editor-in-chief at ORF III in 2017, where she expanded news programming and hosted *Politik live*. Her contributions earned her multiple Romy awards as favourite moderator. Since 2022, she has led ORF radio, building a reputation as a capable manager. The election for a new permanent director is set for August 2027. Until then, Thurnher will oversee operations, bringing her experience in both television and radio to the role.
The allegations against Weißmann have led to his departure and triggered an investigation. Thurnher's interim leadership provides stability as ORF prepares for the 2027 director election. The outcome of the task force's review will likely influence the broadcaster's next steps.
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