Shocking statements

Shocking saga at ORF: Station boss incites against Jewish woman

ORF III station boss Peter Schöber is at the center of an explosive affair.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/ORF/Roman Zach-Kiesling; Karl Schöndorfer)

A dismissed works council member, investigations against the station boss and the emperor of salaries - ORF III is sinking into a mud fight. The "Krone" knows all the internal details.

A veritable scandal is brewing at the state broadcaster's third public TV channel. On the one hand, there are serious accusations against program director Peter Schöber. With an annual salary of 283,000 euros, he is one of the two managing directors of ORF III and one of the top 10 highest earners at Küniglberg. The background is extremely controversial ...

According to witnesses, Schöber is said to have uttered two sentences in internal meetings that would reveal an alarmingly racist view of the world:

• "I'm going to rip the Jewish star off Spera's dress (editor's note: the long-standing respected ORF journalist and director of the Jewish Museum Vienna, Danielle Spera)."
• And further: "We will do as the Jews do and occupy one room after another."

"Allegations are currently being investigated"
Following a report to the whistleblower office set up last summer for anonymous tips, internal investigations have been underway for several days. ORF Head of Communications Martin Biedermann responded meaningfully to an inquiry from "Krone": "Yes, there are allegations and they are currently being examined internally. We are not commenting on or confirming the content at the moment."

ORF III station boss Peter Schöber is at the center of a controversial affair.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/ORF/Roman Zach-Kiesling; Karl Schöndorfer)

The former Lower Austrian regional studio director Robert Ziegler has already fallen via the head of the responsible compliance department, a law graduate. Things could also get tight for the head of ORF III, who is said to have ambitions for the post of ORF Director General.

Second case about dismissed works council
In addition, there is a public mud-slinging with a dismissed works council member, which is also being heard by the labor court in November. The trade unionist and editor concerned has been dismissed with full pay because he is alleged to have violated the de facto ban on secondary employment.

Schöber's response (below) to the works council email (above)

(Bild: Krone KREATIV/zVg)

There is a suspicion that he was paid twice by an external producer for a documentary. Invoices would prove this. He himself fiercely defends himself, speaks of bullying and denies all accusations. In addition, as a member of the Radio Vienna Orchestra, he demands access to vocal rehearsals despite being banned from the house.

General Director Roland Weißmann is not directly responsible for the independent subsidiary, but as Chairman of the General Assembly, effectively the Supervisory Board, he will (have to) draw the necessary consequences after examining the allegations ...

The presumption of innocence applies to both of them.