Just a Weird Ethical Problem

 WDR, a sub public TV network under ARD.....runs a national chat-forum show called 'Hart Aber Fair'.  Monday nights....9 PM.  I tend to rate it one of the top three forum shows.  For a number of years, it was run by Frank Plasberg (roughly 20 years of moderation).  I'd give him mostly positive marks.

He retired, and Louis Klamroth was announced back in September as the incoming new moderator.  My humble guess....WDR probably had six months to review choices, and Klamroth knew he had the job back in July.

So, here's the odd thing....Klamroth has a on-going relationship with Luisa Neubauer.  She's with Friday's For The Future....the activist crowd.

In all the discussions between ARD/WDR.....Klamroth did not bring up this fact....until August, shortly after the network announced his promotion. No one did much after that point.

Problem now?  Well....there's something about corporate guidelines, and keeping your life within a boundary.  

How long has he and Neubauer been a couple?  Unknown, and normally.....it shouldn't be anyone's business.  But then you draw up ethical situations, and the way that people will perceive his moderation of topics.  If he comes across as pro-activist or pro-environmentalist....then the value of the show drops.

In a normal company....the leadership would call in a lawyer or two....review the company policy and reach some determination if he can faithfully carry on the job, or if he deceived the company in any way.  I'm guessing virtually no one in ARD will ask questions about your relationship situation....in the interview process.  

What I'll predict?  ARD will try to proceed ahead and hope that Klamroth doesn't select any environmental topics to talk about for the next year, and somewhere in 2024.....promote him to some management position and ease him out of the mess.  

I'll just say this about journalism.  We've reached a stage where people are generally skeptical of your intentions as a journalist.  If you get awful defensive about a conservative topic (halting mass immigration) or some liberal topic (E-cars)....as a moderator, then your effort is challenged.  Moderation is a science in some ways....you are supposed to ask questions and get people motivated to answer with facts or logic.  If you can't perform at that level....you might want to look for new work.