Criticism Surges Towards ProSiebenSat.1 Over Their Remarks on Berlusconi's MFE by the Press Association
In a recent development, the ProSiebenSat.1 group has received a significantly increased offer from its Italian majority shareholder, Media for Europe (MFE). This announcement has caused a stir in the media industry, with the German Journalists' Association and the Bavarian Journalists' Association expressing concerns about the potential impact on journalistic jobs and independence at ProSiebenSat.1 in Germany.
Initially, ProSiebenSat.1's CEO and supervisory board reacted negatively to MFE's offer to buy more shares. However, the change of course by the CEO and supervisory board has been met with sharp criticism from the German Journalists' Association.
The Bavarian Journalists' Association, led by Harald Stocker, has expressed concern about the potential loss of independence for ProSiebenSat.1. Stocker stated that journalistic jobs and independence at ProSiebenSat.1 in Munich need a guarantee of continuity. He added that under the plan to create a European media group, diversity and journalistic standards should not suffer.
Mika Beuster, federal chairman of the DJV, shares similar concerns. Beuster is worried about ProSiebenSat.1 gradually aligning with Berlusconi's populist line and the potential for Berlusconi to gain a majority in the German private broadcaster association through MFE. The DJV fears that MFE provides no guarantee for the continuation of media diversity and critical journalism at ProSiebenSat.1.
In response, Beuster has appealed to Minister of State for Culture, Wolfram Weimer, to raise his concerns about the takeover 'loud and clear' at the Chancellery. Weimer is scheduled to meet with Pier Silvio Berlusconi at the Chancellery on September 21, 2025.
The Bavarian Journalists' Association had previously expressed similar concerns, with Stocker stating that the location in Germany could be weakened under the takeover. The association believes it is appropriate for Weimer to express his previously stated concerns about the takeover at this crucial moment.
ProSiebenSat.1, in response, has announced that it wants to reduce costs through synergies after a takeover by MFE. However, the concerns raised by the German and Bavarian Journalists' Associations remain unaddressed, leaving the future of journalistic jobs and independence at ProSiebenSat.1 uncertain.
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