The Global Task Force for Public Media has a new leader. Dr. Norbert Himmler, General Director of Germany's ZDF, has assumed the Chair, succeeding Catherine Tait, President and CEO of CBC/Radio-Canada. The Task Force unites seven prominent public broadcasters: ABC (Australia), BBC (UK), CBC/Radio-Canada (Canada), France Télévisions (France), RNZ (New Zealand), SVT (Sweden), and ZDF (Germany).
Established in 2020, the group champions core principles of public media: access, accuracy, accountability, creativity, impartiality, independence, and high journalistic standards. “Public service media are under increasing economic and political pressure all over the world. That is why we must speak with one voice across borders and continents, and strengthen our cooperation wherever possible. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Catherine Tait for all that she has done on the global stage for public media,” said Himmler.
Tait, who steered the Task Force since its founding, offered her congratulations: “I want to congratulate Norbert Himmler and wish him all the best as he succeeds me as Chair. Public service media are stronger when we stand together and under Norbert’s leadership, I know the Global Task Force will continue to stand up for the independent journalism, press freedom and authentic storytelling that serve audiences worldwide.” Her tenure as CBC/Radio-Canada President and CEO concludes at the end of the year.