ORF Director General Thurnher dismisses and suspends ORF III chief Schöber

Thurnher writes verbatim: "Diese nun durchgeführten Untersuchungen kommen zum Ergebnis, dass in vielfacher Hinsicht Verhaltensweisen gezeigt wurden, die mit der Funktion einer Führungskraft im ORF nicht vereinbar sind." The Director General did not address the specific allegations against Schöber in the memo.

According to APA, Kathrin Zierhut-Kunz has been entrusted with the interim management of ORF III.

Official response

The decision came after a several-week period during which allegations against the ORF III managing director had attracted media attention. Schöber had previously held various roles within the ORF group and had served as managing director of the cultural channel ORF III.

In addition to the dismissal, Thurnher also ordered Schöber's immediate suspension. He is thereby relieved of his operational duties until further notice. The ORF initially provided no information on the duration of the suspension or possible further action under labor law.

The investigation had been conducted by the ORF Compliance Office together with external experts. The ORF had initiated the proceedings after allegations from within the company became public. The review was intended to determine whether Schöber is acceptable as a senior executive at ORF.

Interim leadership by Zierhut-Kunz

With the interim appointment of Kathrin Zierhut-Kunz to the managing director position, broadcasting operations at ORF III are to continue without interruption. The channel is a fixture of Austria's public-service broadcasting and is known above all for its focus on culture, information, and documentaries.

In recent weeks, the ORF has faced increased scrutiny over its leadership culture. With this personnel decision, the Director General intends — in typical ORF phrasing — to provide clarity while simultaneously ensuring ORF III's ongoing programming mandate.

The developments throw a spotlight on the handling of executives in public-service broadcasting. Observers interpret Thurnher's move as a signal that misconduct by those in leadership positions — regardless of programming responsibility — will be consistently examined and sanctioned.

Possible legal consequences

Should Schöber contest the allegations raised against him, the legal route would be open. According to ORF-internal sources, in addition to disciplinary action, civil-law disputes could also arise. The ORF has not officially commented on this so far.

The appointment of Zierhut-Kunz to head ORF III is understood within the organization as a transitional solution. She has long been employed at the ORF and is thoroughly familiar with the channel's programming and production processes, which is intended to enable a smooth transition.

Thurnher's decision came at a time when public-service broadcasters in several European countries are going through leadership crises. With the personnel matter concerning ORF III, the ORF is now another case likely to fuel the debate over standards at the executive level.