On March 14, 2025, the Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) faced significant upheaval as chief editor David Biesinger, aged 50, and program director Katrin Günther, resigned following the fallout from the controversial reporting on Green politician Stefan Gelbhaar, aged 48. Their departures are emblematic of the RBB's acknowledgment of serious shortcomings in its journalistic practices.
The scandal erupted when the RBB reported on allegations of harassment against Gelbhaar, which were later revealed to be largely fabricated, leading to his abrupt political dismissal as the direct candidate for Berlin-Pankow. The network's hasty reporting backfired as doubts emerged about the validity of key testimonies, including claims made by women who had allegedly accused Gelbhaar.
According to reports from multiple sources, including the Berliner Morgenpost, the RBB senior management was informed of the resignations during an extraordinary employee meeting on the same day they were announced. Biesinger acknowledged the journalistic lapses, stating, "A new beginning at the top of the editorial board is intended to help restore the RBB's journalistic reputation," indicating the scale of the internal crisis.
Günther, who had served as program director since August 2024, expressed her accountability during this turbulent period, declaring, “The RBB has overall failed programmatically.... I see myself as part of this responsibility," leading to her decision to resign. Both executives cited the need for significant changes to prevent the repetition of such incidents.
The timeline of the Gelbhaar affair began around the turn of the year 2024-2025 when the RBB published allegations against him, resulting from what the broadcaster initially considered credible reports. The organization later realized the accusations were predetermined and lacked credible sources and verification.
Now, Gelbhaar is seeking restitution of 1.7 million euros from the RBB due to the damage inflicted upon his reputation by these unfounded claims. “The need for clarification has become clear after the court indicated there were false statements and claims by the remaining affidavit from Klara Schedlich against the RBB,” Gelbhaar stated, advocating for swift resolution and accountability.
The decision to resign came after Biesinger's admission of error where he stated, "We at RBB made a mistake during the investigation," acknowledging deficiencies in adhering to journalistic standards. Following their resignations, several structural changes aimed at enhancing oversight and ensuring thoroughness within the organization were also discussed.
RBB's director, Ulrike Demmer, commended Biesinger and Günther for their decisions, describing it as "a strong signal to draw personal consequences" and asserting, "The RBB leadership takes their responsibility seriously." She also confirmed plans to integrate existing investigative units more rigorously for future reporting on sensitive matters.
An independent commission had been tasked with reviewing the reporting related to Gelbhaar, with preliminary findings released early March. A comprehensive final report is expected to follow soon, intended to provide insights and prevent similar blunders.
Stephanie Pieper, who is currently heading rbb24 Informadio and Digital, has been appointed as acting editor-in-chief, symbolizing the RBB's operational shift during this tumultuous period. The network will also undertake mandatory training on reporting suspicious allegations to uphold the highest standards of journalism going forward. These initiatives are part of the RBB's commitment to restoring public trust after the incident.
The Gelbhaar case impacts not only the RBB but reflects broader issues of journalistic integrity and accountability, as highlighted by public and political reactions to the incident. Antje Kapek, former member of the Broadcasting Council and Green politician, remarked, "Consequences are good and right, and I commend Biesinger and RBB for this decision," indicating widespread acknowledgment of the necessity for rectification within the organization. She urged for the expeditious release of the report to encourage transparency and accountability.