ORF statement on the allegations against ORF III managing director Peter Schöber

Regarding the serious allegations against ORF III managing director Peter Schöber that have been reported in various media today, the ORF states:

ORF III works councils have verbally informed ORF General Director Roland Weißmann about anonymous allegations against ORF III managing director Peter Schöber. The Director General immediately commissioned the ORF’s independent and independent compliance office to examine the allegations. Written documents regarding this were handed over to the compliance office.

Today, in a conversation lasting several hours with General Director Weißmann and Human Resources Manager Dujmovits, Schöber firmly rejected the allegations made against him, particularly those of anti-Semitism. What is certain is that Peter Schöber, in his role as ORF III managing director, was responsible for numerous initiatives and over 70 productions aimed at coming to terms with the Holocaust. In a conversation with Danielle Spera, Weißmann made it clear that anti-Semitic and racist statements obviously have no place on ORF.

For the duration of the investigation, it is ensured that the editorial teams and all employees of ORF III can continue to carry out their activities unaffected. At the same time, prejudgment must be avoided in the area of ​​tension between anonymous accusations and the presumption of innocence.

Once the compliance office’s investigation results are available, appropriate steps will be taken if necessary.

Director General Weißmann set up an ethics committee made up of international experts in 2023. The resulting recommendations were put into effect by DG Weißmann in the ORF Code of Ethics, which has been in force since June 2024. A comprehensive compliance regulation created an independent and independent compliance office, and a modern whistleblower system was established on the basis of European law.