Of
Claus Hulverscheidt and Claudia Tieschky
The point in time when Tom Buhrow gave his private speech in the fine Hamburg Übersee-Club on Wednesday evening is interesting in many respects. For example, because Buhrow has now been in office for nine years, but only now – after work, so to speak, at least not as WDR director – is finding the momentum for major reforms. The timing of the speech is also interesting because the new media state treaty was formally signed on the same day, which gives the broadcasters more flexibility – and also the opportunity to omit programs. But what Buhrow proposes as a man overseas goes far beyond that: Buhrow wants to stop radio waves, just a single joint public media library, a round table for radical reforms. And he also includes, somewhat encroachingly, the much better positioned ZDF when he openly questions the existence of two public broadcasters.