Partial victory for rbb: Schlesinger has to pay back millions!

Partial victory for rbb: Schlesinger has to pay back millions!

Today, July 16, 2025, there are some exciting developments from the world of broadcasting and renewable energies. The Rundfunk Berlin Brandenburg (rbb) won a partial victory before the Berlin district court. It was about the former director Patricia Schlesinger, who is now involved in a legal dispute. The court's decision stipulates that Schlesinger must pay damages to rbb because she breached her obligation to agree bonus payments for herself and the management. The sum is estimated at around 1.8 million euros, while Schlesinger is also supposed to receive a monthly pension of 18,384.54 euros from the rbb - at least for the time being, because the further payment regulations require a new lawsuit on her part. In the meantime, the investigations by the Berlin public prosecutor's office continued, who continue to have to deal with the allegations against her.

But these are not the only topics on the agenda today. The Brandenburg state parliament is currently considering rbb's future offerings in the areas of information, education and entertainment. This is where the decisive course is set for the programming policy of public broadcasting. In times when the complexity of broadcasting law and the competition between public broadcasters and private broadcasters are constantly increasing, it is all the more important that the rbb finds a clear line in its programming.

Wind power project in Schipkau

Another hot topic is the major project in Schipkau, where the largest wind turbine in the world is being built. This project is not only a step towards more renewable energies, but also an indicator of structural change in the region. At a time when the transition to sustainable energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent, this is a good example of how innovation and progress can go hand in hand.

In addition, the report “Nour graduates from high school – Golzow's new children” will be broadcast today, which follows a refugee on his educational path. Such projects are important to bring the diversity and stories of people from different backgrounds to the fore and to promote solidarity.

Media law under pressure

A look at media law is also very important. From a historical perspective, the regulatory structures in German broadcasting and media law are complex and have changed significantly over the last few decades. The State Broadcasting Treaty of 1991 is the central element that establishes the dual broadcasting system in Germany. It is important to master the challenges of digitalization and the fragmentation of the broadcasting public in order to secure the production conditions of public broadcasting in the future.

The federal government has also made fundamental decisions that affect media policy and strengthen the rights of the press. However, development remains slow, as self-regulation in networks and competition between different types of media require increasingly complex interaction.

The next steps are crucial to how both the rbb and the media landscape as a whole will develop. In a climate in which demands for information quality and program diversity are increasing, it remains exciting to see how the role of public broadcasting will develop in the digital age.

For more information on these topics, you can read the coverage of Inforadio, rbb24 and the Federal Agency for Civic Education track.