New director of the Hessian broadcast: Florian Hager in focus!

New director of the Hessian broadcast: Florian Hager in focus!

On December 18, 2024, the long -term membership of Siegbert Ortmann ends at the turn of the year in the Rundfunkrat of the Hessischer Rundfunk, which he has been holding since 1973. Ortmann, who acted as a representative of the federal government in Hesse, was honored at an official farewell by HR director Florian Hager. Hager praised Ortmann's commitment and pointed out that Hessische Rundfunk will continue to serve the legal mandate to promote opinion formation in society. Despite this, Ortmann regretted that this mandate is often not perceived in today's media landscape, as in a report by East Hesse-News led.

New challenges in the digital age

Florian Hager, who has been in office shortly before Ortmann's adoption, is planning extensive reforms on Hessischer Rundfunk. The director, who had a leading role in the ARD media library before his change, recognizes the need to adapt to the changed media habits. In an interview with Frankfurter Rundschau he said that the credibility of public service broadcasting is in question, especially when social media are characterized by extreme content. Hager emphasized that the information offer must continue to contain entertaining elements in order to reach the audience. Here he sees the opportunity to actively shape the digital landscape in order to meet the challenges of non-linear media use.

The changes in broadcasting are in the context of a broad discussion about the role of the media in society, especially in view of the erosion of democratic values ​​worldwide. Hager pursues the strategy of increasing the reach of the Hessian broadcast and at the same time emphasizing the need for transparency and openness. The coming months will be crucial for the further orientation and legitimation of the Hessischer Rundfunk in the digital future.