Yellowhair receives that amount as compensation from the RBB.
In a series of developments, public broadcaster Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) finds itself embroiled in a costly legal dispute with former director Patricia Schlesinger. The verdict, scheduled for July 16, is expected to be another expensive defeat for the broadcaster.
The dispute stems from a false report aired by RBB's "Abendschau" news program, which accused politician Stefan Gelbhaar of sexual misconduct. The report, which was based on unproven accusations, a false witness, biased reporters, and an irresponsible editor-in-chief, resulted in Gelbhaar losing his seat in the Bundestag.
Despite ongoing negotiations, no settlement has been reached between RBB and Schlesinger. The broadcaster has stated that they know they will lose the process with Schlesinger, but will not give in to her demands. Schlesinger is seeking a substantial sum, including 18,300 euros per month in "quiet money" and an undisclosed amount in damages.
RBB is relieved that they have reached a settlement with Gelbhaar to avoid lengthy trials with uncertain outcomes. The settlement includes a promise by RBB never to report the false accusations again, an admission of error, and an apology to Gelbhaar. The exact amount of the settlement has not been disclosed, but it is known to be a high six-figure sum, many hundreds of thousands of euros, roughly half of the original demand.
Interestingly, RBB has also countersued Schlesinger for 9 million euros in damages. The details of this countersuit are not publicly known.
In a related matter, the RBB editor-in-chief and program director had to step down when the issue came to light. A court also banned further reports about the false accusations.
This is not the first time RBB has faced legal and reputational challenges. In a recent defeat against its former directors, the broadcaster had to pay a lifetime "quiet money" of 2.6 million euros per year, plus 818,000 euros in legal fees.
As the July 16 verdict approaches, the future implications for RBB remain uncertain. The broadcaster, which relies on the license fee for its funding, will hope for a favourable outcome to avoid further financial and reputational damage.
- The legal dispute between Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) and former director Patricia Schlesinger, stemming from a false report aired by RBB's "Abendschau" news program, has infiltrated the realm of general-news and politics, as the verdict could potentially impact the broadcaster's financial situation within the industry.
- The ongoing feud between RBB and Schlesinger, marked by Schlesinger's demand for 18,300 euros per month in "quiet money" and an undisclosed amount in damages, mirrors the complex business negotiations often encountered within finance and the broader business world.
- As RBB faces the prospect of another expensive legal defeat, the broadcaster's need to protect its reputation and financial stability in the competitive media industry is undeniably paramount, especially considering its dependence on the license fee for funding.
