ARD and ZDF under pressure: Complaints explode at a record level!

ARD and ZDF under pressure: Complaints explode at a record level!

nicht vorhanden - ARD and ZDF have faced a persistently high number of program complaints since mid -2024. In a period of one year, between June 2024 and May 2025, around 17,000 and around 31,000 symptoms were received by the ZDF. This corresponds to a remarkable increase and is about ten times as much as in previous years. The actual number of symptoms could be even higher, since other state broadcasting companies are also affected, such as op-online.de reported.

The role of broadfunkalarm.de, a website that provides sample letters and text modules for symptoms, is particularly noteworthy. According to the information of this platform, many complaints have their roots in criticism of public service broadcasting, often from circles that accuse the broadcaster "propaganda" or "lack of balancing". The entrepreneur and opponent of Daniel Bönig stands behind this website and describes the public broadcasters as ideologically colored educational institutions.

Significant workload for transmitters

The immense number of complaints leads to an additional workload for both channels. ARD and ZDF must spend personnel resources for processing these symptoms. Even if there are mass complaints, the broadcasters get constructive and differentiated criticism. Young people in particular often express their dissatisfaction through social media platforms.

like Spiegel.de limited public service broadcaster. In 2023 there were numerous complaints against the Podcast "Lanz & Precht" by Richard David Precht and Markus Lanz, who were considered problematic in the past. Complaints against anti-Semitic stereotypes in these formats led to a significant part of the symptoms against ZDF programs, followed by regional formats such as the Tagesschau and ZDF Magazin Royale.

processing and relevance of the symptoms

Treatment of the symptoms is the responsibility of the ARD, ZDF and Deutschlandradio's rounds, which consist of representatives of society. The bodies decide whether a complaint is entitled based on program principles such as human dignity, objectivity and impartiality. In 2022, the broadcasters received a total of 708 symptoms, from which only five were granted. This illustrates the complex and often lengthy procedure for processing such concerns.

The number of program complaints is relatively low compared to the total volume of the programs of the broadcasts, whereby Deutschlandfunk estimates that around 10-15% of the symptoms are considered justified by the director. While the procedures for processing symptoms are complex, mistakes on the part of the director can also be granted in order to offer corrections and apologies. This could be observed in 2023 in the complaints against the Podcast "Lanz & Precht", the content of which led to a correction and an official letter of apology from the ZDF, according to Deutschlandfunk.de .

Overall, it is clear that despite the high trust in the public service broadcaster, criticism of their program does not decrease. The challenges of complaints are a constant topic that the broadcasters presents new questions of quality assurance and program design.